Meth defendants appear in court

Tuesday, December 31, 2002

Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood intensified the charges and County Judge Cloyd Clark reviewed the bond Monday morning for five of the seven adults charged on Christmas Eve with the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Wood told Judge Clark he could not recommend reducing the bond for one of the seven, after he learned the man pulled a loaded pistol on officers as they entered the home at 808 E. Second in McCook. Wood, in fact, added to the charges filed against Daryl Banzet of Oberlin.

Wood amended charges against all seven, from Class III to Class II felonies, charging Penny Noe, 25; Rene Jackson, 25; Jeremy Jackson, 23; Candy Sue Anderson Roark, 25; Chad Mathies, 20; Randy McNutt, 42; and Daryl Banzet, 20, with manufacture of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school or playground. The amended charge (which adds the proximity to schools and/or playgrounds) increases the punishment from a maximum of 20 years in jail to a maximum of 50 years in jail.

During the arrests Dec. 23, officers removed three children, ages 2, 4 and 6, from the home, and placed them with grandparents.

Clark reduced bond from $10,000 to $1,000/10 percent for Rene Jackson, Jeremy Jackson and Noe. Each waived a preliminary hearing, and was bound over to district court. No date has been set for their appearances in district court.

Judge Clark told the three that failure to appear at their next court proceedings would be an additional felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Daryl Banzet, who is charged with manufacture of methamphetamine and use of a firearm to commit a felony, faces a third charge, that of possession of a firearm whose serial number has been defaced. This additional charge is a Class IV felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, or both.

Wood told Judge Clark he could not recommend a bond reduction for Banzet.

Wood said Banzet's case differs from the Jacksons and Noe cases because Banzet has no family ties in Nebraska and he is pending trial on two counts of criminal mischief, breaking into video games at the Chief Motel in McCook.

"He's the only one with firearms charges, Your Honor," Wood said, explaining that Banzet pulled a loaded pistol from his belt as officers announced themselves and entered the house Dec. 23.

Banzet's court-appointed attorney, Nathan Schneider, asked that bond be reduced from $50,000 to $10,000, telling Clark his client has no prior misdemeanor or felony convictions and is not a flight risk.

Clark reduced bond to $30,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Banzet Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 3 p.m.

Wood also told Judge Clark he could not recommend bond reduction for Randy McNutt. "He is no stranger to court," Wood said, explaining to Clark that McNutt was arrested on these latest meth charges while awaiting a preliminary hearing on a charge of possession of pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. "This defendant has a history," of getting into trouble and getting arrested again, Wood said. "Enough is enough," he told the judge.

Clark reduced McNutt's bond from $50,000 to $20,000, and also set his preliminary hearing for Jan. 7.

As of noon Monday, Noe and the Jackson had posted bond; McNutt and Banzet remain jailed.

Codefendants Candy Sue Anderson Roark and Chad Mathies posted bond following their arraignments Dec. 24. They will also appear for preliminary hearings Jan. 7 at 3 p.m.

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