District Court weighs in on trio of cases

Waters-
Leonard F. Waters Jr., 19, pleaded guilty to a pair of charges after an Oct. 10, 2004, theft.
The report noted that Waters broke into an unidentified structure that day and took property valued at over $10,000.
Waters was sentenced to no more than five years in jail on a third degree burglary charge and no more than ten years on a count of theft in the first degree and fined a total of $1,750. Both the sentence and fine were suspended for a two to five year probationary period.


Mitchell-
Mark T. Mitchell, 20, New Albin, was charged with possession of marijuana after a Feb. 12, 2005, incident in New Albin. According to the report, a New Albin police officer and an Allamakee County sheriff’s deputy made contact with Mitchell as he exited a garage at 135 South Second Street in New Albin. The officers noticed an odor of marijuana on Mitchell and coming from the garage.
Mitchell gave them permission to look into the building, where the scent became stronger. When Mitchell and an unidentified second party were searched, Mitchell fled the garage. Mitchell was caught and a pat down revealed a baggie of green leafy substance that field tested positive for marijuana.
Mitchell pleaded guilty to his second offense of possessing a controlled substance: marijuana. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, however the sentence was suspended, with the exception of two days, for one year of probation. He was also fined $250. Charges of interfering with official acts and possessing drug paraphernalia were dismissed.


Smerud-
Ronald G. Smerud, 55, Lansing, was found guilty of manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to manufacture a controlled substance (marijuana).
According to the police report, on Sept. 24, 2004, a search warrant was executed at Smerud’s business at 221 Main Street, Lansing. Officers located approximately 201 grams of marijuana hidden in a ceiling compartment. Smerud also failed to have a drug tax stamp in his possession.
Smerud was charged with failure to affix a drug tax stamp and later pleaded guilty to manufacturing, delivering, or possessing with intent to deliver. He received a deferred judgement and was placed on probation for two to five years.