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:
- Brennan Linn, 22, of Roseville, Minnesota, pleaded not guilty to aggravated eluding, speeding on an interstate highway, possession of marijuana in the amount of two ounces or less and use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
- Courtney Stork, 40, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to driving with a revoked license and failure to maintain financial responsibility. She will appear in court on Nov. 10.
- Landon Clark, 25, of Plainview, Minnesota, pleaded not guilty to manufacturing and distributing three or more schedule I or II drugs, possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II), possession of marijuana in the amount of 1/2-pound less than one pound and use and possession of drug paraphernalia. Clark will face a jury trial April 19, 2021.
- Matthew Baumgartner, 25, of Leadville, Colorado, pleaded not guilty to manufacturing and distributing three or more schedule I or II drugs, possession of a controlled substance schedules I or II, possession of marijuana in the amount of 1/2 pound less than one pound and use and possession of drug paraphernalia. Baumgartner will face a jury trial April 19, 2021.
- Timothy Rose, 40, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty for possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II), possession of two ounces of marijuana or less, use of a scanning device on payment card, possession and use of drug paraphernalia. All of the charges are probation violations. Rose faces a five-year prison sentence, if found guilty of the charges.
- Amber Lautt, 28, of Mitchell, was sentenced to five years in prison, with credit for 146 days served in jail for a probation violation that stems from charges including grand theft in the amount of more than $1,000 and less than or equal to $2,500, identity theft and forgery. Lautt was also terminated from a drug court program recently, as she violated the rules by using illegal drugs.
- Lisa Musgraves, 43, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II and use and possession of drug paraphernalia. Musgraves was granted a personal recognizance bond, along with participating in twice-weekly urinalysis tests. She will face a jury trial on April 19, 2021.
- Cleo Gravatt, 41, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana in the amount of two ounces or less, possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II), use or possession of drug paraphernalia and a probation violation. Gravatt was accepted into a drug court program, and will remain in jail until Nov. 10.
- Kristie Humphries, 29, residence unknown, did not appear in court on Tuesday. Humphries was ordered to appear in court on Nov. 19. Judge Giles issued a no bond bench warrant for her arrest.
- Syrus Givens, 38, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to first-degree petty theft of more than $400, identity theft, possession of marijuana in the amount of two ounces or less, forgery and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Givens will face a jury trial on Feb. 8, 2021.
- James Wessels, 38, of Artesian, failed to appear in court Tuesday for charges that include grand theft auto charges in the amount of more than $5,000 and less than $100,000. Wessels charges stem from his arrest in June for stealing a pickup. He is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 24. If he fails to appear, Judge Giles said he will issue a no bond arrest warrant, citing Wessels' history of repeatedly failing to appear in court.
- Jess Puepke, 57, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II), possession of marijuana in the amount of two ounces or less and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Puepke will face a jury trial on Feb. 8, 2021.
- Kody Konechne, 19, of Plankinton, was sentenced to serve 60 days in jail, which will be suspended if he pays the fines he's facing for the charges that include grand theft of more than $1,000 and less than or equal to $2,500.
- Margarito Garza, 34, of Ethan, pleaded not guilty to domestic abuse, first-degree rape involving a minor under the age of 16, sexual exploitation of a minor and sexual contact with a minor under the age of 16. Garza will face a jury trial on Feb. 8, 2021. Garza was denied the reduction of his cash bond that was requested to be lowered to $10,000. He’s currently ordered to remain in custody until his upcoming hearings. Garza faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, if found guilty to the all nine of the felonies.
- Lenny Holman, 46, of Harrisburg, pleaded not guilty to possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II) and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. He will face a jury trial on Feb. 8, 2021.
- Roland Kills Straight, 44, requested to enter a treatment program in Rapid City for several charges he previously was found guilty of that include possession of a controlled substance schedules I or II, use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Kills Straight was also charged for violating probation. Judge Giles granted Kills Straight a furlough to enter a treatment program. His sentencing was delayed to allow him an opportunity to complete the treatment program. If he Kills Straight complete the program, Judge Giles said he will consider suspending his sentence.
- Desiree Apgar, 22, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance schedule I or II, use or possession of drug paraphernalia and violating probation. Apgar's attorney said she's battled with depression and anxiety that's led to her past drug use. She was recently terminated from a treatment program for violating the rules. Apgar was sentenced to serve two years in prison, with credit for serving 57 days in jail.
- Charles Kelley, 33, pleaded not guilty to two counts of identity theft. Kelley is out on bond and will face a jury trial on Feb. 8, 2021.
- Neva Taylor, 45, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II), unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana in the amount of two ounces or less, keeping place for the use and sale of a controlled substance and violating probation. She was sentenced to serve two years in prison, with credit for 119 days served.
- John Kellam, 43, residence unknown, pleaded guilty to manufacturing and distributing drugs (schedules I or II), possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II) and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Kellam was sentenced to serve three years in the state penitentiary. In addition, Kellam was ordered to pay fines and court costs.
- Samantha Hamm, 29, of Watertown, appeared in court on Tuesday for a sentencing hearing in connection to charges she pleaded guilty to that include possession of marijuana in the amount of more than a half-pound and less than one pound, driving under the influence and a felony weapon charge. Judge Giles granted Hamm with a suspended imposition, along with two years of probation and paying fines of roughly $1,000. The conditions of probation that Hamm must abide by include no use of marijuana and drugs.
- Randy Johnson, 30, of Sioux Falls, was sentenced to enter a treatment program for charges that include entering or refusing to leave property after notice, accessory to a felony and violating probation.
- Dakota Fallis, 25, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to violating probation, possession of a controlled substance (schedules I or II),Impersonation to deceive a law enforcement officer and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Fallis is out on bond, and will appear in court on Nov. 10. He is ordered to participate in an alcohol screening program until his next hearing.
- Keyanah Kirchmeier, 22, of Mitchell, was sentenced to serve three years in prison for charges that include accessory to a felony, possession of a controlled substance schedules I or II and manufacturing, distributing drugs schedules I or II. She received credit for serving 127 days in jail.
