Changes Of Plea Take Place In District Court

Hearings in district court on Wednesday, Feb. 15, included five defendants who made changes of plea.

Otis Sherman Johnson changed his plea to guilty for criminal possession of dangerous drugs (fentanyl) with intent to distribute and criminal possession of dangerous drugs (meth) with intent to distribute on Nov. 1, 2022.

Maximum penalties for each charge is 20 years in prison, a $50,000 fine or both.

District Judge David Cybulski ordered a pre-sentencing hearing.

Dale Robert Fowler changed his plea to guilty for criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. Another charge was dropped. Fowler admitted to being in possession of a cut straw that is used to snort meth.

Fowler was fined $250 and received a six-month suspended sentence.

Shaun Travis Marchwick admitted to a violation of parole when he refused to take an urine test. His original sentence was 10 years with the Department of Corrections with seven years suspended.

Marchwick changed his plea to guilty for the misdemeanor charge of being in possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges are to run concurrently.

With Marchwick being released, Cybulski reminded Marchwick that a seven-year sentence would be a “big bite” if he doesn’t follow his conditions.

Justin Ladd Johnson changed his plea to guilty for being in possession of dangerous drugs in December 2022.

Maximum penalties are five years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both.

Cybulski ordered a pre-sentencing hearing. Klane William Atkinson changed his plea to guilty to the charges of possession of dangerous drugs, endangering the welfare of children and tampering with physical evidence on Oct. 9, 2022.

Cybulski ordered a pre-sentencing hearing.

Thea Jo Michaelsen made not guilty pleas to two counts of being in possession of dangerous drugs and a charge of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia.

An omnibus hearing was scheduled for March 15. A trial was scheduled for May 11.

During his hearing, Joshua Kyle Burks requested a change of attorney. His hearing was rescheduled for Feb. 28.

Trevor Levi Crain requested additional time to consider a plea agreement. His hearing was rescheduled for Feb. 28.