Posted: 10/11/05
Shefelbine pleads guilty in meth case
Ronnie Shefelbine of Caledonia entered an Alford plea of guilty to aiding and abetting the manufacture of of a controlled substance in the fifth degree on September 27.
In an Alford plea, a defendant may plead guilty yet not admit all the facts that comprise the crime.
Shefelbine is one of five men who were charged in September of 2003 in a methamphetamine bust in a trailer home near Eitzen.
The other four men were Levi Jones of Harperís Ferry, IA.; Theodore Hawver of Spring Grove; Thomas Monson, 22, Spring Grove; and Tod Weston, 39, of Eitzen. Jones, Weston, and Monson pled guilty to conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance and were sentenced to prison.
Hawver and Shefelbine had lesser roles in the operation, Houston County Attorney Rick Jackson said on October 7, so they were charged with aiding and abetting the manufacture of a controlled substance, which is a less serious charge. Hawver was sentenced to a year in jail and was given terms of probation. Shefelbine will face the same sentence, Jackson said. No sentencing date had been set as of October 10.
Holter pleads guilty; enters new not guilty pleas
In other court news, Nathan Holter of Houston pled guilty on September 28 to four indicents of violating an order for protection. Eight other misdemeanors were dropped as part of a plea agreement.
Judge James Fabian deferred sentencing until felony charges that Holter faces are resolved.
Holter pled not guilty on September 28 to felony charges in two cases. They include:
ï Fleeing a police officer, obstructing the legal process, escaping from custody, and violating an order for protection;
ï Interfering with a 9-1-1 call, domestic assault, and disorderly conduct.
A trial that Holter requested for charges of felony theft and receiving stolen property that had been scheduled for September 28 was continued. No new date had been set for it as of October 10.
Nierling case under advisement
A case against Charles R. Nierling, 30, was taken under advisement by Judge James Fabian in Third District Count on October 5.
An omnibus hearing had been scheduled for that day, but it will not occur until the judge reviews briefs by attorneys.
The defense brief is due October 19, the stateís response on October 26, and the defenseís response on November 1. The judge will then review the briefs and decide if and when to hold an omnibus hearing.
Nierling is accused of raping a woman at her boyfriendís house in Eitzen in the early morning hours of May 17. He is now out on bail, and has not entered a plea in the case.
Third degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and $30,000 fine. Fourth degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
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