The following hearings were recently held in Pocahontas County Circuit Court before the Honorable Judges Robert E. Richardson and Jennifer P. Dent:
A pre-trial status hearing was held in the case the State vs Michael C. Hamrick, 64, of Hillsboro, wherein Hamrick explained that he was charged for not wearing a seat belt. When he pleaded guilty in Magistrate Court, he found out later that he had pleaded to a charge of not having a child restraint in the vehicle with a child. He advised the court that he has no children and did not have a child in the vehicle at the time. The matter is set for a non-jury trial June 30.
A hearing was held on a petition to revoke probation in the case the State vs Cory Lee Alexander, 32, of Marlinton, wherein the state advised the court that the defendant did not show up for his scheduled pre-sentence investigation report and is not present at the hearing this day. The court granted the state’s motion to issue a capias. Alexander appeared in person in the afternoon and waived his right to preliminary and evidentiary hearings and admitted to the allegations in the petition. Alexander was remanded to the West Virginia Department of Corrections (WVDOCR). The court will defer disposition in this matter until May 11. Alexander was remanded to the custody of the sheriff to be transported to the regional jail.
In-person sentencing of Lynn Jordan, Jr., 33, of Cass, was held wherein defense counsel noted that the defendant’s hourly wage has increased to $15 per hour, and relayed to the court a joint recommendation for probation. The court accepted the recommendation and suspended the sentence of not less than one year nor more than five years in the custody of the WVOCR. Jordan was placed on supervised probation for three years, with certain conditions: he will be required to report to his probation officer, have full-time employment, continue paying child support payments and arrears and participate in the Southeastern Drug Court program. If he successfully completes the drug program, he may petition the court for release from probation.
A disposition hearing was held in the case the State vs Dalton Cain, 20, of Marlinton, wherein the court was advised that the defendant did not complete the prior disposition of Youthful Offender Program at Anthony Correctional Center. Cain waived his right to a hearing, and the court sentenced him to the custody of the WVDOCR in the state penitentiary for not less than one year nor more than 10 years, and he is to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $1,685. Cain will receive 246 days’ credit for time served.
Timothy W. Rexrode, 43, of Durbin, waived his extradition hearing and agreed to voluntarily return to Highland County to face charges there.
A psychological evaluation was ordered for Darin Shane Ramsey, 32, of Hillsboro.
Jeremiah Bleu Powell, 38, of Marlinton, pleaded not guilty to One Count, person prohibited from possessing a firearm, a felony; One Count, person prohibited from possessing a firearm who carries a concealed firearm, a felony; One Count, driving while license revoked for driving under the influence of alcohol, a misdemeanor; One Count, possession of a Schedule II controlled non-narcotic substance, a misdemeanor. The court granted a defense motion to remove Day Report from Powell’s current bond.
In the case the State vs Shelia Smith, 45, of Bluegrass, Virginia, the court found probable cause that the defendant had violated her probation. An evidentiary hearing is set for May 13.
An evidentiary hearing was held in the case the State vs Dustin Morrison, 26, of Marlinton, wherein the defendant admitted to violating one or more of the terms of his probation. The court reinstated his bond with special conditions. Morrison will be in home confinement in Kanawha County to attend a six to 12 month drug rehab program.
Raymond Matthew Ramos, 39, of Neola and an inmate in the Nottaway Correctional Center in Burkeville, Virginia, pleaded not guilty to Two Counts, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, a Schedule II, controlled non-narcotic substance, a felony; Two Counts, possession with intent to deliver a Schedule I controlled non-narcotic substance, a felony; Two Counts, person prohibited from possessing a firearm, a misdemeanor; One Count, domestic battery, a misdemeanor. A personal recognizance bond was set in the amount of $7,500 with the condition of home incarceration and approved residence. Upon release from the Virginia correctional facillity, he will be transported to Tygart Valley Regional Jail if he is unable to post bond.