A number of defendants appeared in Columbia County Circuit Court Thursday. Circuit Judge David W. Talley Jr. sentenced some defendants, trial dates were set in several cases, and other cases were continued. Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Phillips represented the state, with Robert Jeffrey and Vicki Cooper serving as public defenders.
•Darrette Beal pleaded guilty to possession of firearm by certain person. He received five years probation, was ordered to do 120 hours community service, and pay court costs and fees.
•Dalvin D. Jones pleaded guilty to residential burglary. He was placed on 10 years probation, ordered to do 240 hours community service, and pay costs and fees.
•Andre Walker pleaded guilty to robbery, amended down from aggravated robbery. Walker was sentenced under the First Offenders Act. He received 10 years probation, was ordered to do 240 hours community service, to sign up for the WAGE program, and ordered to pay costs and fees. Restitution is to be determined within 30 days. As a condition of his probation, Walker was ordered to have no contact with the victim or their property.
•Mitchell Madison pleaded guilty to robbery, amended down from aggravated robbery. He received 10 years probation, was ordered to perform 240 hours community service, and pay costs and fees. Judge Talley stipulated that if Madison does not maintain full-time employment, he is to enroll in WAGE classes. As a condition of his probation, Madison was ordered to have no contact with the victim or their property.
•Chance T. Jones pleaded guilty to delivery of Schedule II controlled substance (hydrocodone). He received five years probation, and was ordered to pay costs and fees. As a condition of his probation, Jones was ordered to enter and successfully complete the Columbia County Drug Court program.
•Franklin D. Broomfield pleaded guilty to forgery second degree and Phillips said the state would not prosecute charges of fraudulent use of a credit card and theft of property over $1,000. He received 10 years probation, was ordered to do 240 hours community service, pay restitution of $538.24 along with costs and fees.
•Randy Williams pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver (methamphetamine), possession with intent to deliver (cocaine), and possession with intent to deliver (marijuana), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Phillips said the state would not prosecute charges of simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms and possession of firearm by certain person. Sentencing was scheduleld for April 7. Charges of delivery of controlled substance (methamphetamine) will be addressed on April 7.
•Jeffrey reported that Robert Roberts had rejected the state’s plea offer involving five years prison time, and wanted to proceed with a trial, scheduled for Feb. 29. Roberts is charged with aggravated assault on family/household member and possession of firearm by certain person.
•The public defender’s office was re-appointed to represent Kevin B. Smith, who previously had rejected representation and indicated he would handle his own case. Smith is charged with attempted murder first degree, endangering the welfare of a minor second degree, and possession of firearm by certain person. Jeffrey asked for a continuance on the trial date, and it was tentatively set for March 30.
•Michael Edward Doss is set for trial Feb. 25 on charges of domestic battery second degree. Doss also faces charges of theft of property over $1,000 and theft by receiving over $1,000.
•Jeffrey reported that he had met with Virgil D. Barber and presented the state’s plea offer of 15 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections, and Barber rejected the offer and asked the case be set for trial. Tentative trial dates of April 27-28 and May 25-26 were scheduled. Barber is charged with sexual assault second degree and sexual assault fourth degree.
•Phillips said the state would not prosecute charges of rape, incest, and habitual offender against Derrick Regius Hunter. Phillips told the judge he and defense attorney Garnett Norwood of Texarkana had discussed this case, and at this point the state did not believe there was sufficient evidence to prosecute the case.
•It was reported to the court that Eddie McMahen had completed all the requirements of the Alternative Sentencing Program, and he was allowed to withdraw his plea of guilty. Phillips said the state would dismiss charges of domestic battery second degree, breaking or entering, and terroristic threatening first degree.
•Phillips said the state had extended a plea offer of ASP in Zachary Alexander’s case, with the requirement that restitution be paid prior to entry into the program. Judge Talley authorized the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office to accept payment, and the case was continued to April 7. Alexander is charged with breaking or entering, theft of property over $1,000, and criminal mischief first degree.
•Amanda K. Hudgens’ case was continued to March 3, to allow her time to meet with the State Nursing Board. Hudgens is charged with endangering the welfare of a minor first degree and driving while intoxicated. Jeffrey said if Hudgens entered ASP, she would be required to plead to the DWI charge and she wanted to see what impact that would have on her nursing license.
•Phillips said he and Jeffrey had discussed Coleman J. Cole’s case, and the victims had advised they wanted some more input. The case was continued to March 3. Cole is charged with theft of property over $1,000, breaking or entering, aggravated robbery, residential burglary, and absconding house arrest.
•Rodrick Smith’s case was continued to March 3. Smith is charged with furnishing prohibited articles.
•Cassie J. Gordon’s case was continued to March 3. Jeffrey said an agreement had been reached where Gordon would be receiving an income tax refund and would pay toward restitution, and had a payment plan set up for the balance. Gordon is charged with theft of property over $5,000.
•Jeffrey reported that Jessica Otwell had indicated she was not interested in drug court or ASP, and asked her case be set for trial. Otwell is charged with residential burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia. A trial date has not yet been set.
•Richard M. Thibodeaux’s case was continued to March 3. Judge Talley specified that if he did not meet with his attorney as scheduled, his bond would be revoked and he would be placed in jail. Thibodeaux is charged with battery second degree, terroristic threatening second degree, and fleeing by foot.
•Gloria Beasley is to be assessed for ASP, and her case was continued to March 3. Beasley is charged with delivery of methamphetamine.
•A bench warrant was issued for Scott DeLoach, charged with possession of controlled substance (Schedule I, II, methamphetamine, cocaine).
•Patrick D. Young was released from jail Thursday, and his case was continued to April 7. Phillips said that payment on restitution is to be made, and the sheriff’s office was authorized to accept payments. Conditions of his release will be good behavior, no alcohol, no guns, and no drugs. Young is charged with aggravated assault upon officer, refusal to submit to arrest, disorderly conduct, and no seat belt in use.
•Dennis R. Williams Jr. was released from jail to house arrest with his father, and is to return to court March 3. Phillips specified no contact with the victim or their property and said a protection order was in place. He said if there is any contact with the victim, the state will withdraw all plea offers and would be asking for the maximum penalty. Williams is charged with possession of a firearm by certain person, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a minor first degree, and criminal trespass.
•A criminal summons was issued for Gerrell Hildreth, charged with non-support.
•Adam Bradley was released to house arrest with his grandmother, and is to be assessed for drug court. Bradley is 17, but is being charged as an adult with aggravated assault. He is to return to court March 3. As a condition of his house arrest, Judge Talley specified no alcohol, no drugs, and no guns.
•Ronesha Mack’s case was continued to April 21. She is charged with theft of property over $1,000, and is currently in ASP.
•Antoine D. Sanders’ case was continued to March 3. He is charged with breaking or entering.
•Kendrick Story’s case was continued to April 7, as Jeffrey said he and the prosecutor’s office were discussing the plea offer. Story is charged with theft by receiving (firearm), possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of firearm by certain person.
•Willie Wright Jr. was released from jail, and is to return to court May 5 at which time Phillips said a plea agreement will be ready. Wright is charged with aggravated robbery and absconding house arrest.
•Leeroy Livingston’s case was continued to March 3. Defense attorney James Bennett of El Dorado reported this case was very close to being resolved. Livingston is charged with battery first degree.
•Samuel Goodman appeared in court concerning non-payment of restitution and court costs. It was reported that a payment had been made Thursday, and Judge Talley ordered him to begin paying $75 per month beginning in March or he would go to jail.
•Marquis Anthony appeared in court concerning non-compliance with court-ordered community service. He is to begin work this week on the balance of his community service requirement.