2 facing drug charges to go to trial
Two Dickinson residents accused of selling drugs will likely go to trial next month, attorneys said during hearings at the Stark County Courthouse Tuesday.
Two Dickinson residents accused of selling drugs will likely go to trial next month, attorneys said during hearings at the Stark County Courthouse Tuesday.
Jeanifer Meyer-Dutton and Martin Morel were arrested in July along with 15 others after authorities infiltrated alleged drug activity in Stark County.
A confidential informant witnessed much of the alleged activity but went missing for several months. He was a key witness in many of the cases and his absence led to several issues with evidence.
However, the confidential informant was relocated in February.
Because of the informant’s absence, Meyer-Dutton’s attorney, Mary Nordsven and Stark County State’s Attorney Tom Henning were expecting the charge against Meyer-Dutton to be dismissed in January.
“The problem was at that time, the confidential informant was not to be had,” Nordsven said. “I think in any event, with or without a confidential informant, it is likely a case that has to be tried.”
Meyer-Dutton rejected a plea offer from Henning.
She is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, which is a Class A felony.
She is being held at the Southwest Multi-County Correction Center in Dickinson.
Judge Zane Anderson said Meyer-Dutton will be able to attend her trial without visible restraints and can wear plain clothes, rather than the orange correction center uniform she has been wearing during hearings.
Henning said allowing her to do so would not pose a security risk.
Morel faces two charges for allegedly conspiring to deliver and delivering eight pills of the prescription drug Dilaudid, which is also known as hydromorphone, according to his criminal complaint.
Both charges are Class A felonies.
“I thought we were pretty close to having an agreement. I’m informed by counsel today that the defendant declines the state’s offer,” Henning said during the hearing Tuesday.
Anderson gave Morel and Meyer-Dutton a week to accept plea agreements and said if they don’t, they will go to trial.
Morel’s attorney, Carey Goetz, along with Nordsven and Henning, declined comment after the hearings.
Tags: drug hearings, news, trial
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