District Court hears thirteen pleas

The District Court heard 13 pleas, including the case of one local man, when it met in Clarendon last Monday, June 19.

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

Alan Dwayne Harper was placed on probation for a period of five years for the third degree felony offense of unlawful restraint. Harper pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Harper, 61 from Clarendon, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on February 7, 2017 by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Mike Spier. Harper was later indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on April 10, 2017.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Harper is required to pay a $1,000 fine, $488 in court costs, and successfully complete 400 hours of community service. If Harper violates probation, he could face up to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Walter James Wheeler, Jr. was placed on probation for a period of five years for the first degree felony offense of aggravated robbery. Wheeler pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Wheeler, 63 from Walsenburg, Colo., was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on October 6, 2016 by Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn. Wheeler was later indicted by the Donley County Grand Jury on December 12, 2016.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Wheeler is required to pay a $3,000 fine, $448 in court costs, $4,375 restitution, successfully complete 400 hours of community service, and a $500 out of state probation transfer fee. If Wheeler violates probation, he could face up to 99 years or life in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Javarra Michelle Hodge was placed on probation for a period of four years for the second degree felony offense of possession of marijuana. Hodge pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Hodge, 32 from Waterloo, Iowa, was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on October 26, 2016 by DPS Trooper Darrin Bridges. Hodge pleaded to an information filed by the State on January 10, 2017.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Hodge is required to pay a $4,000 fine, $458 in court costs, $180 lab restitution, successfully complete 300 hours of community service, and a $500 out of state probation transfer fee. If Hodge violates probation, she could face up to 20 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Carolyn Emily Hicks, 33 from Arlington, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to seven years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the second degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.

On November 14, 2012, Hicks originally pleaded to the charges from the October 30, 2012 offense in Donley County. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on July 20, 2015, alleging five violations of community supervision.

Hicks is also required to pay $443 in court costs, $2,992 in restitution and a $4,000 fine.

Anotonio Alcaraz-Memije was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance. Alcaraz pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Alcaraz, 24 from Denver, Colo., was arrested in Donley County for the offense that took place on June 11, 2017 by Donley County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Hill. Alcaraz pleaded to an information filed by the State.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Alcaraz is required to pay $458 in court costs, $180 drug lab restitution, a $500 fine, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Alcaraz violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

Miles Lacy Hampton, 24 from Childress, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Revoke and was sentenced to eight years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the second degree felony offense of burglary of a habitation.

On July 23, 2012, Hampton originally pleaded to the charges from the January 1, 2011 offense in Childress County. The State filed the motion to revoke on May 1, 2014, alleging five violations of community supervision.

Hampton is also required to pay $385.50 in court costs, $2,350 in restitution, and a $2,000 fine.

Jason Brown-Brannon, 26 from Childress, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 18 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.

On April 9, 2015, Brown originally pleaded to the charges from the January 7, 2015 offense in Childress County. The State filed the motion to adjudicate on September 16, 2015, alleging five violations of community supervision.

Brown is required to pay $329 in court costs, $180 in restitution and a $2,000 fine.

Jeremy Brown-Brannon was placed on probation for a period of three years for the state jail felony offense of forgery. Brown-Brannon pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Brown-Brannon, 25 from Wakeeney, Kan., was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place on January 30, 2017 by Childress Police Officer Toby Brazee. Brown-Brannon pleaded to an information filed by the State on June 15, 2017.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Brown-Brannon is required to pay $289 in court costs, $160 restitution, a $2,500 fine, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Brown-Brannon violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

Graciano Enrique Ramirez, Jr., was placed on probation for a period of five years for the third degree felony offense of retaliation. Ramirez pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Ramirez, 26 from Tahoka, was arrested in Hall County for the offense that took place on May 23, 2017 by Hall County Chief Deputy Jared Johnson. Ramirez pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Ramirez is required to pay a $500 fine, $381 in court costs, successfully complete 200 hours of community service, and pay $4,514 in restitution. If Ramirez violates probation, he could face up to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Jorge Louis Vazquez was placed on probation for a period of three years for the third degree felony offense of possession of marijuana. Vasquez pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense. Vasquez, 22 from Richmond, Calif., was arrested in Carson County for the offense that took place on January 28, 2017 by DPS Trooper Casey Dawson. Vasquez pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Vasquez is required to pay a $500 fine, $336 in court costs, successfully complete 200 hours of community service, and pay a $500 out of state probation transfer fee. If Vasquez violates probation, he could face up to 10 years in the Institutional Division of the TDCJ.

Vasquez’s plea also subjects him to deportation to his country of origin, which is Mexico.

Robert Paul Kinne was placed on probation for a period of two years for the Class A misdemeanor offense of unlawful use of criminal instrument. Kinne pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Kinne, 29, was arrested in Carson County for the offense that took place on June 10, 2017 by DPS Trooper Garry Bullard. Kinne pleaded guilty to an information filed by the State.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Kinne was required to pay a fine to Carson County for $4,000, $276 in court costs, $180 drug lab restitution, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Kinne violates probation, he could face up to one year in the Carson County Jail.

Juan Dedios Ramirez, 34 from Houston, pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to five years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ for the second degree felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.

On January 17, 2017, Ramirez originally pleaded to the charges from the October 5, 2016 offense in Hall County. The State filed the motion to adjudicate alleging six violations of community supervision.

Ramirez is also required to pay $381 in court costs to Carson County, $180 in restitution and a $5,000 fine.

Ramirez also pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate and was sentenced to 24 months in the State Jail Division of TDCJ for the state jail felony offense of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The offense date and plea date for this state jail felony offense were the same dates for the second degree felony offense which Ramirez was also convicted.