A 24-year-old Wichita man scheduled for trial in a marijuana distribution case that goes back to April of last year entered a plea in the case instead.
Darnell Whittaker is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, no tax stamp and possession of marijuana with a prior conviction. But, the state dropped the third count from the 2013 case, and then filed a 2014 case with that charge. At sentencing the state will recommend along with the defense that the sentence on that count should be “time served.” Whittaker had been in the county jail for 10-months, so Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton believes that’s enough time for that count.
Whittaker entered no contest pleas to all three charges and the state and defense will recommend the aggravated number at sentencing on the remaining two counts from the 2013 case, but then recommend 36-months community corrections.
Whittaker was in a vehicle driven by 20-year-old Garrett Ketley that contained over 7-pounds of marijuana which was sitting next to him in two duffel bags. The arrest coming from the drug unit and Hutchinson Police making a traffic stop in the 5500 block of North Lorraine back on April 26, 2013. The marijuana coming from Colorado.
Whittaker will be sentenced on February 23, by Judge Trish Rose. He remains jailed on 50-thousand dollar bond.
Ketley has already been sentenced to prison for this case and another one from May of last year where he also had a large quantity of marijuana.