Probation violation lands Stark County woman back in court

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A Stark County woman accused of violating the terms of her probation on two-year-old drug-related felony charges will have to appear back in court.

Ashley Marie Dutke, 27, did not report to her probation officer, a term of her probation after she plead guilty in 2010 to two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, Class C felonies, said Rhonda Ehlis, assistant Stark County state’s attorney, on Wednesday during an initial appearance in Stark County Court for a petition of revocation.

The felony charges stem from a June 2, 2010, incident in which Dutke delivered or possessed with intent to deliver Ambien. A criminal complaint states she delivered 30 pills to a confidential informant for $200.

Also, on June 30, 2010, Dutke was accused of delivering 20 Ambien pills to a confidential informant at the price of $200, according to the criminal complaint.

Dutke appeared Wednesday without representation. Judge Patrick Weir, upon hearing that Dutke could not afford an attorney, instructed her to seek eligibility for court-appointed counsel.

Ehlis recommended that the court release Dutke on her own personal recognizance while her case is still pending.

In turn, Ehlis also added a few stipulations to the terms of Dutke’s release.

“I also ask the court to direct (Dutke) to report weekly to her probation officer,” Ehlis said. “There have also been some allegations of the use of illegal drugs, so I ask that she report to the Stark County Sheriff’s Department to sign up for the 24/7 Patch Program within 24 hours.”

The North Dakota Attorney General established the 24/7 program 2008. The program is allowed to be used by the court as part of the conditions of an individual’s parole or probation in the case of drug- or alcohol-related offenses.

Tags: ashley marie dutke, news, court, ambien, drugs