Colorado man jailed on drug charges to be released early

A judge authorized the early release Tuesday of a Colorado man serving 180 days in Davison County Jail after he was arrested in Mitchell with more than 1 pound of marijuana in November.

Casey Stephen Whitney, 36, of Montrose, Colo., was sentenced Feb. 7 to five years of probation and 180 days in jail after he was caught with approximately 1.5 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle by South Dakota state troopers Nov. 19.

Whitney was given credit for the 80 days he served prior to his sentencing.

Prior to Tuesday’s hearing, Whitney’s attorney, Donna Bucher, of Mitchell, motioned to have Whitney’s sentence modified to allow him to return to Colorado in order to secure a seasonal employment opportunity.

Judge Sean O’Brien authorized Whitney be released from jail 18 days early on April 30, unless he fails to file the proper paperwork allowing him to leave the state and continue his probation in Colorado.

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