The following cases were among those heard Tuesday during a circuit court session at the Davison County Public Safety Center, with Judge Chris Giles presiding:
- Marcus Jordan, 36, of Mitchell, appeared in court for violating his probation on Nov. 30, in which Jordan was charged with stealing a vehicle in Codington County. Prior to the probation violation, Jordan recently had a five year prison sentence suspended for a number of additional charges that he pleaded guilty to including possession of a controlled substance, which is a class 5 felony attached with a maximum punishment of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He will reappear in court on Dec. 22 begin the sentencing process.
- Mona Stork, 45, of Mitchell, failed to appear in court Tuesday for a probation violation that she pleaded not guilty to, which includes eight charges related to possession of a controlled substance, along with possession of two ounces or less of marijuana. Stork was issued a no bond bench warrant for her arrest.
- Jess Puepke, 57, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II), a class 5 felony that comes with a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Puepke will reappear in court on Dec. 22 for the felony charge. He was released on a personal recognizance until his next court appearance. A condition of his bond includes completing a 24/7 sobriety program.
- David Spirit Rack Jr., 22, of Sioux Falls, failed to appear in court Tuesday for a change in his plea for charges he previously pleaded not guilty to. The charges include five counts of raping a minor aged between 13 and 16-years-old that he was arrested for on Mar. 1, 2017. The charges are class three felonies, and carry a maximum sentence of up to 15-years in prison, if found guilty for the alleged crimes. As part of the personal recognizance bond that he was granted in September, Spirit Rack Jr. must not be in contact with the victim and anyone under the age of 18 unless it is supervised by an adult, excluding family members. After failing to appear in court Tuesday, Judge Giles ordered a no bond bench warrant. He will face a jury trial for the charges on Dec. 14.
- Thomas Garmong, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II). Garmong faces up to a maximum of five years in prison for the charges. At the time of Gramong's arrest, it led to another charge in Hanson County, where authorities searched his residence and found more methamphetamine. Garmong will be sentenced on Dec. 22 for his possession charge that took place in Davison County.
- James Wessels, 38, of Artesian, failed to appear in court Tuesday for the second consecutive time. Wessels was expected to appear for a change in his plea for charges that include grand theft in the amount of more than $5,000 and less than $100,000, and another count of grand theft in the amount of more than $1,000 and less than $2,500. At Wessels’ most recent court appearance, he pleaded not guilty to the grand theft auto charges. Judge Giles issued a no bond bench warrant for Wessels arrest.
- Jamie Shay, 35, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Shay will face a jury trial on April 19.
- Michael Madsen, 47, of Mitchell, did not appear in court Tuesday, citing potential COVID-19 illness. He was scheduled to appear in court for possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II) and possession of drug paraphernalia. Madsen is scheduled to reappear in court on Dec. 22.
- Travis Krietlow, 43, of Ethan, pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault by way of choking, false imprisonment and domestic abuse. He will face a jury trial on April 19.
- Malissa Garmong, of Mitchell, was sentenced to serve 20 years in prison for possession of a controlled substance and intent to distribute methamphetamine in a drug-free zone for two separate charges in Davison and Hanson counties. Garmong received credit for serving 99 days in jail. At the time of her arrest, Garmong was on parole for a number of previous methamphetamine charges. Prior to her most recent arrest, in April 2019, Garmong was sentenced to 10-years in prison with six years suspended for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
- Margarito Garza, 34, of Ethan, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual contact with a minor child under the age of 16. The three children who were sexually abused by Garza were between the ages of 7 and 11. Garza faces a maximum penalty of 45 years in prison for the felony charges. Garza will be sentenced on Feb. 16 after an evaluation is completed.
