Judge Karin Noakes presided over four criminal cases in Custer County District Court on Thursday, June 20th.
Mirissa L. Chitty, age 26 of Litchfield, appeared in court to withdraw her plea as she has successfully completed the required programs outlined by a problem-solving court. Chitty had been charged with and pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, a Class IV felony. Judge Noakes dismissed the case with prejudice and congratulated the defendant on her success.
Blake T. Chapin, age 34 of Broken Bow, appeared for sentencing on an amended charge from February of this year. At that time, Chapin pleaded no contest and was found guilty of committing negligent child abuse without injury, a Class I misdemeanor. Two charges of 3rd degree sexual assault of a child were dismissed in February after his no contest plea. Before announcing Chapin’s sentence, Judge Noakes commented on the defendant’s lack of remorse and lack of acknowledging his responsibility in the wrong-doing. She sentenced Chapin to two years’ probation and 90 days in jail starting June 27th. He was given credit for 4 days served and will be allowed a work release, if eligible. Judge Noakes also ordered Chapin to have no contact with the victim, to have no unsupervised contact with anyone under age 18, and to participate in any counseling programs as determined by the probation officer, at his own expense.
Mark A. Koch, age 62 of Sargent, appeared for a plea hearing on amended information that was filed after extended conversations between Katharine Collins, special prosecutor, and the defendant’s attorney, Aaron Bishop. The charges of disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct stem from an incident that occurred in Sargent on October 10, 2022. After much discussion, Koch pleaded not guilty to the charges. The State will now enter a second amended information filing.
The final criminal case on Thursday was State vs. Chance L. Smith, age 33 of Cozad, who appeared for an entry of plea hearing. Smith was charged in December 2021 with two counts of making terroristic threats (Class 3A felonies) and two counts of assault (Class I misdemeanors). In Thursday’s hearing, Smith pleaded no contest to all charges. Judge Noakes found him guilty of all four counts and ordered a presentence investigation. Sentencing and a restitution hearing are scheduled for August 1, 2024 at 1:30 pm.
