District Court hears several pleas

The District Court heard seven please resulting in three convictions and four deferred adjudications when it met in Clarendon on Monday, October 1.

District Attorney Luke Inman, assisted by Greg Buckley, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

A total of $14,500 in fines was assessed as a result of the pleas that took place on October 1. In addition to the fines, the defendants were required to pay a total of $3,091.50 in court costs and $52,042.81 restitution.

Jacque Tonnette Martin was placed on probation for a period of three years for the third degree felony offense of driving while intoxicated 3rd or more. Martin pleaded guilty and was convicted and sentenced to ten years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ, but the sentence was probated for a period of three years.

Martin, 52-year-old resident of Clarendon, was arrested in Donley County by Department of Public Safety Trooper Chad Simpson for the offense that took place March 7, 2012. Martin was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on August 29, 2012.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Martin is required to pay a $3,000 fine to Donley County, and is also required to pay $558 in court costs, complete 200 hours of community service, and all DWI requirements under Chapter 49.

Isaias Ramirez was placed on probation for a period of six years for the third degree felony offense of unlawful restraint. Ramirez pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Ramirez, 22-year-old resident of Hedley, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place January 8, 2011, and was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on March 7, 2011.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Ramirez is required to pay a $6,000 fine to Donley County, and is also required to pay $383 in court costs. If Ramirez violates probation, he could face up to ten years in Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Jerry Lynn Norwood was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Norwood pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Norwood, 47-year-old, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place December 1, 2011 and was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on June 27, 2012.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Norwood is required to pay a $500 fine to Donley County, and is also required to pay $443 in court costs. If Norwood violates probation, he could face up to 2 years in TDCJ.

Allen DeWayne Brown was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of evading arrest. Brown pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Brown, 26-year-old resident of Childress, was arrested in Childress County by Childress Police Sergeant Justin Hunter for the offense that took place March 10, 2012. Brown was indicted by a Childress County Grand Jury on June 25, 2012.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Brown is required to pay a $1,000 fine to Childress County, and is also required to pay $385.50 in court costs. If Brown violates probation, he could face up to 2 years in the State Jail Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Clinton John Stevens was convicted for the state jail felony offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Stevens pleaded guilty and was convicted and sentenced to six months in the Donley County Jail.

Stevens, 35-year-old resident of Wichita Falls, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place June 22, 2010 and pleaded guilty to a complaint filed by the State on August 12, 2010.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Stevens is required to pay $473 in court costs.

Shayne Aric Spindler was placed on probation for a period of four years for the third degree felony offense of money laundering. Spindler pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

The 26-year-old Spindler was arrested in Hall County by Estelline Chief of Police Mike Warren for the offense that took place May 23, 2012. Spindler pleaded guilty to a complaint filed by the State on September 24, 2012.

Laura Hommel King was convicted for the third degree felony offense of aggregated theft. King pleaded guilty and was convicted and sentenced to five years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ after a contested punishment hearing.

King, 33-year-old resident of Clarendon, was arrested in Donley County by Donley County Sheriff Charles “Butch” Blackburn for the offense that took place June 7, 2011.

King was indicted by a Donley County Grand Jury on August 29, 2012.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, King is required to pay $473 in court costs and $51,902.81 restitution.