Courthouse News: 20-year sentences for Lathrop man convicted on Daviess County charges

Circuit Court
Miguel Angel Torres of Lathrop was sentenced Jan. 7 in Livingston County on four felony charges, three counts of possession of weapon at correctional facility, and one count of damage to jail property. Torres received 20-year sentences on the first three counts and a five-year sentence on the last one; sentences to run concurrently to each other and consecutively to any other sentences being served. A Livingston County jury deliberated just over an hour before finding Torres guilty of these charges in an October trial prosecuted by Daviess County Prosecutor Annie Gibson. The case was a change of venue from Daviess County.
While Torres was an inmate at the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail, between Aug. 3 and Sept. 24, 2019, he had a sharpened metal blade and two knives fabricated from food trays at the jail. He also fabricated cordage into a garrote and demonstrated to other inmates how to strangle an intended victim.
Reid Otto Scott, Hamilton, pled guilty to amended charges of trespass first degree and littering, both misdemeanors, in a change of venue case heard by Judge Brent Elliott in Clinton County on Jan. 6. The case had been set for jury trial on Jan. 8.
Scott had originally been charged in Daviess County with felonies of burglary second degree and attempted stealing firearms, in connection with the June 17, 2019, burglary of a rural residence in Daviess County. Scott was sentenced to 100 days in the county jail for the trespassing charge and 15 days jail for littering, sentences to run concurrently.
Amy James, Kidder, was with Scott at the time of the burglary, and faces the same original felony charges. She is set for a jury trial April 2, in Daviess County
A warrant was issued for James Leland Benson on Jan. 7, for violating conditions of bond by violating an order of protection. He is charged with domestic assault third degree. Bond was revoked and reset to $10,000 cash only pending a bond hearing Jan. 15.
The following cases were heard by Judge Ryan Horsman on Jan. 8:
A name change was granted, from Michelle Oakleaf to Michelle Monteith.
Dissolutions of marriage were granted to Jessica N. Steiner from Jesse D. Steiner, and to David Hibler from Dustin Hibler, with former name David Mammen restored.
Cases bound over from the Associate Division: State vs. Patricia D. Sittner, Bethany, forgery, D felony, and failure to maintain financial responsibility, D misdemeanor; State vs. Christian Lee Hogan, Gallatin, domestic assault third degree and harassment first degree, both E felonies, and misdemeanor kidnapping third degree and stalking second degree, A misdemeanors; State vs. Kolbey Sandgren, Maysville, damage to jail property, E felony; State vs. Jordan Riggins, Ludlow, property damage and resisting arrest, both E felonies;
State vs. Jacob W. Palmer, Overland Park, KS, tampering with motor vehicle first degree, D felony, resisting arrest, E felony, possession of controlled substance, D felony, and misdemeanors of speeding, illegal turn causing immediate threat of accident, possession of marijuana, driving while revoked, and drug paraphernalia.
Associate Division
Defendants found guilty in the Associate Division of the Circuit Court of Daviess County are listed below with the offense and fine assessed. Additionally, court costs collected for the State of Missouri amount to $74.50 for moving traffic violations and $120.50 in most criminal cases. Judge Daren L. Adkins presided over the following cases:
Michael A. Justus, St. Joseph, speeding, $60.50; no valid license, $150.
Everardo L. Hernandez, Kansas City, no valid license, $300.
Rebecca L. Parker, Lawrence, KS, driving while intoxicated, $350; possession of drug paraphernalia, $150.
Allen E. Byerly, Overland Park, KS, speeding, suspended imposition of sentence, one year probation, 22 hours community service.
James B. L. Luecke, Archie, driving while intoxicated and careless and imprudent driving, suspended imposition of sentence, two years probation, 40 hours community service.
Shelbe L. Reickard, Cameron, passing bad checks, $25.
James M. Foote, Kansas City, KS, driving while intoxicated and possession of drug paraphernalia, two years probation, 30 hours community service on each count; possession of marijuana, suspended imposition of sentence, two years probation, 30 hours community service, abuse and lose order; speeding $70.50.
Bryant O. Ellis, Trenton, possession of drug paraphernalia, five days jail – prior offender; speeding, $70.50.
Civil Court
Breach of contract: In Steve Heldenbrand and Midwest Auto and Diesel Repair LLC vs. Jeremy Sutton and Sutton’s Midnight Run LLC, the case was tried by the court. Judgment was entered for the plaintiff Steve Heldenbrand et al and against the defendant Jeremy Sutton et al. The defendants owe the plaintiffs $11,103.43 plus attorney fees of $1,000, plus costs and interest.
In Access II vs. The Print Shop KC LLC, judgment was entered for Access II in the amount of $3,300 plus court costs.
Suits on account: Jefferson Capital Systems LLC vs. Lonnie L. Breer was dismissed by the parties. Default judgments were entered for Harrison County Community Hospital and against Jessie Fehring et al; and for Midwestern Health Management and against Billy C. Arndt et al.
Other contracts: Default judgments were entered for Discover Bank and against Julie Johnson; and for LVNV Funding LLC and against Brandi Goll.
County Commission
James Lewis, bridge supervisor, updated the commission on ongoing work. The crew has been working on bridge repairs in Liberty Township. They are continuing to mow brush in Jamesport Township. James will be working with the FEMA representative on paperwork from the 2019 disaster, and continuing to do bridge inspections next week with MoDOT. James will also be working on inventory of tubes at the barn.