District court hears burglary cases

Thursday, February 7, 2013

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Defendants in several area burglary cases appeared Monday in Red Willow County District Court.

A plea agreement was reached with one of two men charged in connection with several area burglaries that occurred in November, while his alleged accomplice entered a not guilty plea, Monday.

19-year-old Craig Relaford accepted a plea agreement, offered by Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood, which admitted guilt to two Class III felony burglary offenses, one Class IV felony offense for criminal mischief, one Class I misdemeanor offense of attempted burglary, one Class I misdemeanor offense of criminal mischief and one Class III misdemeanor offense for attempted burglary.

The plea agreement dismissed an additional Class I misdemeanor criminal mischief charge and reduced two of the attempted burglary offenses from felony versions.

Relaford's offenses stem from burglaries at Sports night club, Tropical Tanners, Mac's Drive-In and Taste of Texas BBQ, in addition to damage done to the change machine at Arrow Car Wash, and jukebox and video game machines located at Sports.

Relaford was scheduled for sentencing at 9 a.m. on May 6, 2013, in Red Willow County District Court.

Relaford's alleged accomplice in the crimes, 18-year-old Matthew J. Clinton of 1001 West 12th Street, pleaded not guilty to the charges he faces.

Clinton has been charged with two Class III felony burglary offenses, two Class IV felony offenses of criminal mischief, two Class IV felony offenses for attempting a Class III felony and one Class I misdemeanor offense of criminal mischief.

Clinton was scheduled for a status hearing in his case at 11 a.m. on March 4, 2013.

21-year-old Toni Hopkins of 906 East E Street was sentenced to 36 months probation for her involvement in the burglary of a West First Street McCook residence in May 2012.

Hopkins and two accomplices were accused of stealing $9,000 in cash, in addition to jewelry and other items, allegedly taken from the home of Hopkin's mother. Hopkins accepted a plea agreement, offered by Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood, which reduced a Class 3 felony second degree forgery charge in an unrelated fraudulent check writing case against her, to three Class I misdemeanor offenses. The plea subsequently admitted guilt to the Class III felony burglary charge and to the three misdemeanor forgery offenses.

Hopkins was sentenced Monday to 36 months probation in both cases, to be served at the same time.

Hopkin's accomplices in the burglary of her mother's house, 23-year-old Johnathon M. Wickizer of Benkelman, Nebraska, and 18-year-old Rayna Snyder of 115 West O Street, were also in court Monday.

Wickizer similarly admitted guilt to a Class III felony burglary charge and was sentenced to 36 months probation and ordered to pay $9,000 in joint restitution.

Snyder accepted a plea agreement that reduced the Class III felony burglary charge against her to a Class IV felony charge of attempted burglary. Snyder was scheduled for sentencing at 9:30 a.m. on April 1, 2013.

A plea agreement was reached with one of two burglars arrested in connection with the July 2012 Buckle clothing store burglary in McCook. 18-year-old Miguel Navarro accepted a plea agreement, offered by Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood, which admitted guilt to a lone charge of Class III felony burglary and dismissed two other felonies and two misdemeanors.

Navarro had originally been charged with additional offenses including a Class III felony offense for possession of a stolen firearm; a Class IV felony offense of theft by receiving stolen property, stemming from an iPad stolen from Hayes Center Public School; and misdemeanor offenses for carrying a concealed weapon and no operator's license.

Navarro is scheduled for sentencing on the burglary offense at 9: 30 a.m. on April 8, 2013.