Not guilty pleas entered in raid on alleged local meth lab

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

McCOOK, Neb. — Three of the five suspects arrested during an early morning raid of an alleged meth lab on West 15th Street last month pleaded not guilty Monday in Red Willow County District Court.

35-year-old James Bonacci, 30-year-old Shanda Blake and 26-year-old Jessica Cole were subsequently scheduled for individual motions hearings on July 31, 2017, at 8:30 a.m., 8:15 a.m., and 11 a.m., respectively.

Bonacci pleaded not guilty to a Class 2A felony alleging he manufactured a controlled substance; a Class IV felony alleging possession of a controlled substance; and infractions alleging possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Blake pleaded not guilty to a Class IV felony alleging possession of a controlled substance and an infraction alleging possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cole pleaded not guilty to a Class 2A felony alleging she manufactured a controlled substance; a Class IV felony alleging possession of a controlled substance; and infractions alleging possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Felony cases filed against two others arrested during the raid, 59-year-old Carrie Swigert and 31-year-old Vincent Bonacci, were continued until July 31, 2017, at 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., respectively.

Other activity in Red Willow County District Court, July 10, 2017:

* 28-year-old Troyce R. Thomas Jr. of Bartley pleaded not guilty to a Class 2A felony offense alleging DUI (.15+) with 3 prior convictions; a Class 2 misdemeanor alleging driving under revocation; and an infraction alleging open container. Thomas was subsequently scheduled for a motions hearing at 3 p.m. on July 31, 2017.

* An Arapahoe man pleaded not guilty to a pair of Class 2A felony offenses alleging distribution of hydrocodone. The case against the man, 51-year-old Ronald L. Duran, was subsequently scheduled for a motions hearing at 3 p.m. on July 31, 2017.

* A plea agreement was reached with a Curtis man admitting guilt to a Class IV felony offense for possession of methadone and a misdemeanor offense for driving on a revoked license. The man, 31-year-old David M. Griffitt, was subsequently scheduled for sentencing at 2 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2017.

The plea agreement dismissed additional charges alleging Class IV felony possession of methamphetamine; Class IV felony possession of alprazolam; and infractions alleging possession of drug paraphernalia and a stop sign violation.

Griffitt was arrested on June 8, 2017, following a traffic stop near the intersection County Road 719 and Drive 386.

* A plea agreement was reached with a Curtis woman, formerly of Palisade, admitting guilt to a Class IV felony for possession of methamphetamine and dismissing an infraction alleging possession of drug paraphernalia. The woman, 31-year-old Katlin R. Suda, was subsequently scheduled for sentencing at 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2017.