Vehicle theft, meth possession net probation

Friday, September 23, 2016
Keaton S. Carpenter

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook man facing sentencing last week in Red Willow County District Court for attempted possession of methamphetamine, as well as in a second felony case stemming from the theft of a vehicle, was ordered to serve probation time and pay $200 in fines.

The offender, 18 year old Keaton S. Carpenter of 102 South Street, was ordered to serve 36 months probation in each of the two criminal cases, to be served at the same time.

According to court documents, Carpenter was arrested in March following a traffic stop near the intersection of West 4th Street and West J Street in McCook. He was originally facing a Class IV felony alleging possession of methamphetamine, in addition to a misdemeanor offense alleging he didn't have a driver's license and an infraction alleging possession of drug paraphernalia. The felony charge stemmed from a glass pipe confiscated at-the-time of the arrest, which tested positive for meth residue. He was also cited for having a broken taillight but that violation wasn't pursued by Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood.

Carpenter subsequently accepted a plea agreement on June 6, 2016, reducing the felony to a Class I misdemeanor for attempted possession of meth, while also admitting guilt to the paraphernalia infraction and no operator's license violation. He would later be charged in a second felony criminal case alleging he stole a 2006 Dodge Charger from one McCook resident and an electric wheelchair from another on June 21, 2016, just 15 days after accepting the plea agreement in the first case.

Carpenter was originally facing a Class 2A felony alleging the stolen vehicle was valued at more than $5000, in addition to a Class I misdemeanor stemming from the theft of the wheelchair, valued between $500 and $1500. He accepted a plea agreement in August reducing the Class 2A felony to a Class IV felony indicating the vehicle was valued between $1500 and $5000, and also admitting guilt to the misdemeanor theft of the wheelchair.

During last week's sentencing hearing, Carpenter was ordered to serve 36 months probation for attempting to possess meth and pay a $100 fine on each of the two lesser convictions in the criminal case stemming from his arrest in March. He was similarly ordered to serve 36 months probation on the theft convictions stemming from the stolen vehicle and wheelchair, with Red Willow County District Court Judge David Urbom ordering the probation sentences to be served at the same time.

The stolen vehicle belonged to Bink Binkley and was taken from the area of the South Street service road. The motorized wheelchair was property of Howard Brawdy and taken from the Lazy L trailer court, according to court documents.

Other activity in Red Willow County District Court, Sept. 12, 2016:

* A hearing for a Bartley man facing a trio of felony charges was continued until 10:15 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2016. The man, 51-year-old Michael W. Kreiling, pleaded not guilty in August to a Class 2 felony alleging possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver; a Class 3A felony alleging he committed child abuse intentionally/non-injury; a Class IV felony alleging possession of money used to facilitate a violation; and an infraction alleging possession of drug paraphernalia.

The possession of meth charge was enhanced with allegations Kreiling possessed the controlled substance within 1000 feet of a public or private playground and knowingly possessed a firearm at the time as well.

* A 34-year-old McCook man, Daryl J. Banzet, pleaded not guilty to a Class 3 felony alleging he was a convicted felon in possession of a deadly weapon. The case was subsequently scheduled for a motions hearing at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 3, 2016.

The weapon charge stems from a knife, according to court documents.

* A felony drug possession case against a McCook woman was continued until 9 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2016. The woman, 31-year-old Jessica D. Cruz of 27 South Street, pleaded not guilty in February to a Class IV felony alleging possession of methamphetamine and an infraction alleging possession of drug paraphernalia.