Grosz found that Manuel Quintero, 39, of Paramount, Calif., qualified for court-appointed representation and assigned the district court’s contracted attorney, Don Krassin, to the case. Quintero is charged with possession of methamphetamines with the intent to deliver and also possession of drug paraphernalia. The maximum penalty Quintero faces for both charges is 25 years in prison and/or $15,000 in fines.
Assistant State’s Attorney Ron McBeth said due to similar charges in 2005, Quintero faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and/or $5,000 in fines.
|
Advertisement |
“I’m just going to be doing the preliminary stuff,” Grosz said. “You can make that request for a different judge at a later date.”
Prior to Krassin being appointed to her case, Quintero said she wasn’t sure if she wanted to be represented by a lawyer. With further counsel from Grosz, she accepted the court-appointed representation.
Manuel and Michelle Quintero are scheduled for preliminary hearings on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m and remain in jail on a $1 million bond.
Debbie McFadden, 46, of San Pedro, Calif, also arrested in connection to the same case, faces charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, a class ‘C’ felony. Because McFadden has no income in North Dakota, Grosz also found that McFadden qualifies for court-appointed representation. He ordered her to get the process started with her lawyer and also appear Oct. 8 for a status or preliminary hearing.
McFadden remains in the Richland County Jail on a $25,000 bond.
The three individuals were arrested after the Southeast Multi-County Agency Drug Task Force (SEMCA) conducted a search of their hotel rooms at Dakota Magic Casino, Hankinson, and found approximately one pound of methamphetamines packaged for sale.
In other district court news:
• A 23-year-old Wahpeton man faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and/or $10,000 in fees for a burglary and attempted burglary charge connected to a Sept. 16 incident.
Ricky Stickland allegedly broke into the M&H Convenience Store by breaking a front window and attempted to gain entry to the Taco John’s establishment nearby. Grosz appointed Krassin to Stickland’s case and also denied a reduction in bond. Stickland will remain in the Richland County Jail on a $50,000 cash-only bond.
Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Daily News is not liable for messages from third parties.
DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in wahpetondailynews.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the The Daily News. The Daily News does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized The Daily News spokespersons.
Thank you for your comments!