Court News

Columbia County

Superior Court

May 6, 2015

Sentencing:

Leonard L. Lytle, 24, Dayton; sentenced to six months in county jail following guilty plea on one count of 2nd degree theft of an access device (debit card), one count of 2nd degree identity theft, one count of forgery, and two counts of 3rd degree theft. These crimes occurred in February and early March. Lytle may substitute day-for-day jail time for drug and alcohol treatment; seven other charges filed in March were dismissed as part of Lytle’s plea agreement.

First Appearance/Arraignment:

Jared J. Mings, 31, Walla Walla; first appearance on charges of trafficking in stolen property, a Class B felony, and second-degree theft, a Class C felony. Mings was allegedly involved in the theft of and attempted sale of a hydraulic motor and auger in January. He was recently arrested on a failure to appear warrant; released on a $10,000 unsecured appearance bond. Arraignment scheduled for May 20.

Joshua J. Berdar, 23; entered not guilty plea on charge of obtaining a legend (prescription) drug (oxycodone) by fraud, a Class B felony. Trial setting will be on May 20.

Trials Set:

Kari D. Hecker, 37, Dayton; charged in September with possession of a controlled substance (meth) and two counts of endangerment with a controlled substance. Trial: July 13.

Michael A. West, 37, Dayton; charged in September with residential burglary – domestic violence with sexual motivation and violation of a no-contact order – domestic violence with sexual motivation. These crimes allegedly occurred on Sept. 30, while West was on a court-granted 24-hour furlough from Columbia County Jail. West is currently incarcerated in Columbia County Jail without bail. Trial: July 23.

Nicholas A. Beard, 25, Spokane; charged in October with attempting to elude, reckless driving, and DUI. Trial: Aug. 12.

William H. Richards, 45 Benton City; charged in May with possession of a stolen vehicle and obstructing a law enforcement officer. Arrested recently on failure to appear warrant; released on $10,000 unsecured appearance bond. Trial: July 23.

Monty N. Dunn, 50, Dayton; charged in February with five counts of delivery of meth (and selling within 1,000 feet of school grounds), possession of meth, possession of legend (prescription) drugs without a prescription and endangerment with a controlled substance. Dunn is currently incarcerated in Columbia County Jail on $75,000 bond. Trial: July 23.

Ronald R. White, 54, Kennewick; charged in October with two counts of violation of a no-contact order. Trial: Aug. 12.

Other Legal Action:

Anthony J. Nieto, Sr., 55, Dayton; charged in November with 1st degree assault. New trial date will be set on May 20.

Bobby G. Burgess, 49, Kennewick; charged in October with second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, second-degree criminal trespass, and second-degree unlawful transportation of fish or wildlife. Burgess was arrested recently on a failure to appear warrant; released on $10,000 unsecured appearance bond. His new trial date will be set on June 3.

Giovanny Blanco, 19; charged with attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangerment and use of drug paraphernalia. Blanco was the driver during an alleged police chase through Columbia County into Walla Walla County early on the morning of April 1. Blanco failed to appear in court for his trial-setting hearing – bench warrant entered.

Columbia County

District Court

April 28, 2015

John Stearns, 58, Dayton; serving 30 days confinement for contempt of court.

Steven Long, 28, Waitsburg; serving 30 days confinement for driving while suspended third degree and no interlock device.

Dameon Casey, 29, Walla Walla; serving 289 days confinement for failure to comply on a DUI conviction.