The following is a brief compilation of criminal cases that have been adjudicated in Newton County Circuit Court during the spring session. Circuit court cases are filed by county on the Administrative Office of the Courts CourtConnect Website https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov/cconnect/PROD/public/ck_public_qry_main.cp_main_idx.
Cases are listed by file number and defendant. In some instances affidavits explaining the original cause of arrest and charges were not available.
51CR-22-55 - Janice Hughes, 40, was formally charged in November 2022 with possession of schedule I/II controlled substance (methamphetamine) a class C felony; possession of schedule VI controlled substance (marijuana), a class A misdemeanor; possession of drug paraphernalia (methamphetamine), a class A misdemeanor and possession of drug paraphernalia (methamphetamine), a class A misdemeanor.
Court filings read that on Nov. 1, 222 the defendant was a passenger of a vehicle that was lawfully stopped for a traffic violation. The driver had an active warrant and the defendant was on active probation and had search waiver on file. Both did not have a driver's license. Upon search of the vehicle, the deputy located a bank bag between the front seats. The bag contained a red straw, two glass pipes with suspected methamphetamine residue, a bag with approximately two grams of methamphetamine. The deputy searched the defendant's purse and located less than four ounces of marijuana and a marijuana grinder.
The case proceeded until July 7, 2024, when an order of nolle prosequi was filed. The order noted that the state was unable to proceed in the matter due to lack of cooperation from a necessary witness essential for trial.
The case was formally closed.
In a connected case, 51CR-22-56, Timothy Mallone, was the driver of the vehicle that was stopped and searched. He was subsequently charged with the same drug offenses, and driving on suspended license, a class U misdemeanor.
An order of nolle prosequi was filed in the case on July 7, 2024. The order noted the state is unable to proceed in this matter due to lack of cooperation from a necessary witness essential for trial.
The case was formally closed.
51CR-22-57 - Connley Shane Cooper, 33, was formally charged in December 2022 with possession of schedule I/II controlled substance (methamphetamine, a class D felony, Driving DWI revoked license, a class U misdemeanor and offenses involving a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device, a class A misdemeanor. The defendant did unlawfully operate a motor vehicle without an interlock device equipped while his driving privileges were restricted.
According to the court filing, On July 29, 2022, deputies conducted a traffic stop of the defendant., Dispatch confirmed the defendant's driver's license was revoked for a DWI offense. The defendant had a restriction for an interlock device to be equipped in the vehicle he was operating. The vehicle the defendant was operating was not equipped with an interlock device. The deputies then performed a search of the defendant's person and found a small clear bag of suspected methamphetamine in his front right pocket.
The case was continued until an order of nolle prosequi was filed on May 17, 2024.
The order reads that based on the plea agreement in another criminal court case, the state agrees to nolle prosequi this matter.
The case was formally closed.
