Custer County Court Kicks Off Final Week Of June With A Full Day Of Felony Cases

CUSTER COUNTY— Custer County Court held its final June court session on Monday, June 29 with a number of felony cases scheduled for the day.

The morning began with Cody Richards, 26 of Palmer, as he made his first appearance for alleged possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (class II felony). According to the complaint, Richards knowingly or intentionally did manufacture, distribute, deliver, or dispense a Schedule I drug and exceptionally hazardous drug.

Richards elected to hire his own attorney and his case was set for a status hearing on August 24. If found guilty of the one alleged charge, Richards could face a prison sentence between one and fifty years.

Jeremiah Cranwell, 30 of Callaway, made his first appearance on three alleged charges including burglary (class IIA felony), theft of property valued at more than $5,000 (class IIA felony), and abuse of a vulnerable adult (class IIIA felony).

Cranwell requested a court-appointed attorney, where the public defender Michael Borders was assigned to the case. Cranwell will be back in court for a preliminary hearing on August 24 at 2 PM. Cranwell could face a maximum of forty-three years in prison and be fined up to $10,000 if found guilty of all charges.

Dakota Taylor, 22 of Broken Bow, made his first appearance in Custer County Court as he faces charges of alleged use of a weapon to commit a felony (class IC felony), criminal mischief for the destruction of property valued over $5,000 (class IV felony), and criminal mischief for the destruction of property valued at less than $500 (class III misdemeanor).

Taylor requested a court-appointed attorney and Michael Borders was ordered to represent Taylor. A status hearing was set to take place on July 13 at 9 AM. If found guilty of all charges, Taylor could be sentenced between five and fifty-two years in prison as well as possibly being fined.

Parker Storms, 22 of Broken Bow, made his first appearance on charges of alleged use of a weapon to commit a felony (class IC felony), criminal mischief for the destruction of property valued over $5,000 (class IV felony), and criminal mischief for the destruction of property valued at less than $500 (class III misdemeanor).

Before asking for a court-appointed attorney, Custer County Deputy Attorney Kayla Haberstick stated that Storms and Dakota Taylor were co-defendants to make sure the court was aware to not assign the same attorney. Christopher Wickham was appointed to represent Storms when he appears for a preliminary hearing on July 20 at 2 PM. If found guilty of all charges, Storms could be sentenced between five and fifty-two years in prison as well as possibly being fined.

Julia Russell, 22 of Broken Bow, was back in court on Monday for a preliminary hearing on alleged charges of possession of methamphetamine (class IV felony) and possession of drug paraphernalia (infraction). Her attorney, Michael Borders, stated that Russell had been given the option of drug court and was planning on accepting the offer, but the case needed to be bound to Custer County District Court to finish the process. Russell waived her right to a preliminary hearing and the case was bound to District Court where Russell will be arraigned on July 16 at 9:30 AM.

Raymond Wolcott, 33 of Elwood, also had his case bound to District Court after waiving preliminary hearing on one alleged charge of theft (class IIA felony). Borders, who represents Wolcott, stated that a plea agreement had been reached to reduce the charge from a class IIA felony to a class IV felony, but the case needed to be bound over to complete the process. Judge Tami Schendt accepted the waiver and bound the case to District Court for arraignment on August 6 at 9:30 AM.

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