arrest – St George News

ST. GEORGE – Police arrested a 36-year-old man Tuesday after he allegedly kicked in the door of a home in March and threatened to assault the resident inside.

On March 24, after Matthew Brigham Young of St. George returned to a Washington County residence he had visited earlier in the evening, he allegedly kicked in the front door of the residence, according to a probable cause statement written by Ivins-Santa Clara Public Safety Officer Jon Ward in support of the arrest.

Matthew Brigham Young, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 7, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

After kicking in the door, Young allegedly entered the family room of the home and threatened to assault a woman, the statement said.

“Young caused extensive damage to the front door of the residence leaving it inoperable,” Ward wrote in the statement.

Young was identified by the woman and was later located, arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility Tuesday.

He was charged with a second-degree felony for burglary of a dwelling, and a class B misdemeanor for criminal mischief intentionally damaging property. His bail pending trial stands at $10,630.

Young is scheduled to make his initial court appearance April 14.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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ST. GEORGE – A juvenile was transported to the hospital and a 30-year-old man was arrested Sunday after the man allegedly smashed into the back of a car on Bluff Street in St. George before fleeing the scene while under the influence of alcohol.

Just before 8 p.m., officers responded to an injury collision after a red pickup truck with the license plate “MOODY” crashed into the back of a northbound white Dodge Charger stopped at a South Bluff Street stoplight on the Interstate 15 overpass, according to a probable cause statement written by St. George Police Officer David McDaniel in support of the arrest.

Matthew Gary Moody, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 12, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

The driver of the truck, later identified as Matthew Gary Moody, of St. George, did not slow down for the red stop light and hit the rear of the Dodge Charger at a high rate of speed, causing severe damage to the vehicle, according to the statement.

The impact of the collision also injured a girl who was a passenger in the Dodge Charger, the statement said. The girl was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George with back injuries.

Immediately following the collision, Moody left the scene without stopping and continued on to northbound I-15.

A witness on a motorcycle observed the collision and followed Moody on I-15. Moody pulled over just short of Exit 8. He was the only occupant of the truck.

Police discovered Moody’s driver’s license was suspended for an ignition interlock device, and that he was an alcohol restricted driver.

A strong odor associated with an alcoholic beverage was coming from Moody’s breath, McDaniel said in the statement, and he had bloodshot, red and glassy eyes.

Moody told police he had taken Effexor earlier in the day for anxiety, the statement said.

Following a field sobriety test performed by officers, McDaniel wrote the following in the statement of probable cause:

Matthew could not stay in the start position and stood with his feet shoulder width apart. Matthew missed heel to toe on every step he took. Matthew stepped off line several times during the test. Matthew performed the one legged stand test. Matthew could not count in order and would go back and forth on number. Matthew could not keep his foot off the ground for more than 3 or 4 seconds at a time. Matthew also swayed in place badly.

Moody refused to allow authorities to test his blood alcohol content level, according to the statement.

Moody was found to be on probation under supervision by Adult Probation and Parole. He was also found to have six prior arrests for DUI and multiple felony convictions for DUI in the last 10 years, the statement said.

Moody was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

He was charged with two third-degree felonies for a third subsequent offense of driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to remain at an accident involving injury; three class B misdemeanors for driving on a suspended license, operating a vehicle without an interlock system and alcohol restricted driver; and a class C misdemeanor for traffic control signal violations.

Fifth District Judge Eric A. Ludlow ordered Moody’s bail amount set at $13,230 during his initial court appearance Monday. Moody was found indigent by the court and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Douglas Terry. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 20.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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ESCALANTE – Kevin Worlton, a former police chief due to recently being fired from the Escalante City Police Department, has been charged by the Utah Attorney General’s Office for falsifying police reports. Now, Worlton is reportedly refusing to testify in 10 pending felony drug cases on the grounds that he may incriminate himself.

“If Mr. Worlton, who was the lead officer in these cases refuses to testify, I have no choice but to dismiss them,” Garfield County Attorney Barry Huntington said, as quoted in a press release from the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office issued Tuesday.

In response to a subpoena to appear as a witness in the 10 pending felony drug cases in Garfield County, Worlton filed an objection on the grounds that he may incriminate himself. According to the press release:

Mr. Worlton has filed an objection to this subpoena citing the following: Kevin Worlton, has received a subpoena in this case, and objects to the subpoena pursuant to Rule 45(e)(3)(D) of the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure, Utah Code Annotated, 1953 as amended, Section 77-1-6(2)(c), the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 12 of the Constitution of the State of Utah because appearance and testimony in this case may require Mr. Worlton to violate his rights and privileges against self-incrimination. If compelled to testify, Mr. Worlton will invoke his rights and privileges as here instated and therefore requests that he not be compelled to testify.

Worlton currently faces two second-degree felony charges for making false or inconsistent material statements and one class B misdemeanor charge for official neglect or misconduct.

The felony charges stem from incidents in December 2014 in which Worlton allegedly made false statements on official police documents in connection with five drug-related arrests.

In December 2014, according to a probable cause statement filed by the Utah Attorney General’s Office supporting the charges against Worlton, Worlton made false statements when drafting probable cause statements for search warrants and warrantless arrest documents in five drug-related cases.

“The false statements in the probable cause statement for the warrants and the warrantless arrest documents are material because they are capable of affecting the outcome of an official proceeding,” the statement said.

One of the “false or inconsistent material statement” charges stems from Worlton allegedly stating in an official document that he had read a woman her Miranda rights when he had not. According to the statement from the Attorney General’s Office, a recording of Worlton’s interaction with the woman proved he had not given her a Miranda warning. In one probable cause statement filed to obtain a warrant to draw the woman’s blood and collect her urine, Worlton said she had not been given a Miranda warning, writing that she was “not in custody and was free to leave the residence,” according to the statement. In a probable cause statement filed to obtain a warrant to search another home, he referenced the conversation with the woman, writing that she had been given a Miranda warning.

In another incident, Worlton allegedly falsified a statement and attributed it to a suspect, stating she had named a marijuana dealer when she had not. A video recording of his interaction with the suspect showed she had not named anyone but had said she “had no clue,” according to the statement.

“This false statement is material because it was the difference between a third degree felony distribution of marijuana charge and a class B misdemeanor possession or use of marijuana charge against the suspect,” the statement from the Attorney General’s Office said.

The misdemeanor charge against Worlton relates to him not keeping his reports organized and usable, according to the statement. In the December 2014 arrests of six people for charges ranging from first-degree felonies to class B misdemeanors, Worlton waited as long as six days after suspects had already pleaded guilty to file his police reports supporting their arrests. Worlton also did not file returns of service on search warrants he had executed, according to the statement.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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CEDAR CITY – A shoplifting call to police Wednesday led to a high-speed police chase on Interstate 15 in the Cedar City area, two collisions involving a stolen vehicle and the arrest of two Colorado women.

At approximately 6 p.m., officers responded to the Cedar City Wal-Mart, 1330 S. Providence Center Drive, on a report of shoplifting in progress, according to a Cedar City Police Department statement issued Thursday morning.

Kylee Sales, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, booking photo posted April 15, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

While officers were responding, they were advised the two female suspects exited the store and entered a blue passenger car that was later discovered to have been reported stolen out of Colorado, the statement said.

An officer arrived on scene just as the suspect vehicle was leaving Wal-Mart. The officer turned on his emergency lights and the driver of the vehicle then began to flee. The officer gave chase and the pursuit went south on Interstate 15.

During the six mile pursuit, speeds reached over 120 mph, according to the statement. At one point, the suspect vehicle collided into a passenger truck, also traveling south on I-15.

The suspects exited I-15 at Exit 51, the Hamilton Fort-Kanarraville exit. However, due to excessive speed, the driver could not maintain control over the vehicle as they exited, the statement said. The vehicle ran off the roadway and through a fence. Both occupants then attempted to flee on foot.

The driver, 22-year-old Kylee Sales, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was immediately taken into custody.

Elizabeth Perkins, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, booking photo posted April 15, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Iron County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

The passenger, 31-year-old Elizabeth Perkins, also of Colorado Springs, briefly attempted to flee on foot but was dissuaded by the presence of an off-duty Utah County Sheriff’s Deputy. Perkins was then taken into custody, according to the statement.

No one was injured during the incident.

While searching the stolen car, officers discovered methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

Both Sales and Perkins were also found to be wanted fugitives from Colorado.

Sales was booked into the Iron County Jail and charged with multiple offenses, including fleeing from police, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, retail theft, multiple traffic offenses and multiple drug offenses. Her bail pending trial stands at $10,000.

Perkins was also booked into the Iron County Jail and charged with multiple offenses, including fleeing from police, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, retail theft and multiple drug offenses. Perkins’ bail pending trial also stands at $10,000.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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ST. GEORGE – A 65-year-old St. George area transient, who was discovered to have multiple violent felony convictions including rape, robbery, kidnapping and two counts of murder, was arrested Tuesday for failing to register as a sex offender after bragging to medical personnel about his past crimes.

At approximately 9:45 p.m., officers responded to a medical assist call at the Pilot Flying J gas station, located at 2841 S. 60 East in St. George, where they made contact with Thomas Asbury Waggener, according to a probable cause statement written by St. George Police Officer David McDaniel in support of the arrest.

Thomas Asbury Waggener, transient, booking photo posted April 14, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

“Thomas bragged to the EMT on scene that he was a convicted murderer and rapist,” McDaniel wrote in the statement, “and that he had been staying at Switchpoint and then camping in the desert.”

When McDaniel ran Waggener’s information, Waggener was found to be a lifetime sexual offender with multiple alias names, social security numbers and dates of birth, and was listed as a noncompliant offender, according to the statement.

Waggener was transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George. McDaniel interviewed Waggener while he was being worked on by medical personnel.

Following his interview with Waggener, McDaniel wrote in the statement of probable cause:

He knew he was supposed to register as a sex offender. He stated he had registered a couple of years ago while in California and that should count. Thomas stated he did not have time and did not feel like walking to get his sex offender registry taken care of.

After Waggener received medical clearance at the hospital, he was arrested for the sex offender registration violation because he had been in the St. George area for more than 11 days without registering.

During a search of Waggener, officers located a 3.5 inch tactical folding knife in his pocket.

“I checked Thomas’ criminal history and found multiple violent felony convictions including rape, robbery, kidnapping, two counts of murder and others,” McDaniel wrote in the statement.

Waggener was booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

He was charged with two third-degree felonies for failure to register as a sex offender and possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person. His bail pending trial stands at $10,000.

Waggener is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Tuesday afternoon.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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MESQUITE, Nevada – Multiple people were arrested by Mesquite Police Thursday following a monthslong investigation by narcotics detectives.

“The Mesquite Police Investigative Services Division … concluded a lengthy investigation into the sales and trafficking of illegal controlled substances,” Mesquite Police said in a statement Friday.

Individuals allegedly were trafficking and distributing cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine and prescription medications in the Mesquite area. So far, 14 people have been arrested in connection with the investigation.

In addition to apprehending the suspects, police recovered suspected illegal drugs and paraphernalia, prescription medication and U.S. currency.

“Most of our community’s property crimes are related to the buying and selling of illegal drugs,” Mesquite Police Chief Troy Tanner said in the statement. “This investigation is a testament that we have no tolerance for this issue, and our police officers are doing a good job keeping our crime rate low, and our solvability rate one of the highest in Nevada.”

The suspects who have been formally charged at this juncture of the investigation include:

Brandyn Boothe, 20, faces: one felony count of sales of a controlled substance and one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act.

Bobby J. Abrams, 43, faces: two felony counts of sales of a controlled substance, one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, failure to register as a sex offender, and failure to update address as a sex offender.

Jeremy Martin, 39, faces: one felony count of sales of a controlled substance and one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act.

Kyle Hadland, 30, faces one felony count of sales of a controlled substance, one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, and felony trafficking of a controlled substance.

Andrew Perkinson, 22, faces: two felony counts of sales of a controlled substance, felony trafficking of a controlled substance, and one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act.

Maria Bryant, 50, faces: one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act and one felony count of unlawfully maintaining a place for unlawful sale or use of a controlled substance.

Roberta Brocius, 50, faces: two felony counts of trafficking a controlled substance, two felony counts of sales of a controlled substance, three felony counts of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, one felony count of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert Eastley, 20, faces: one felony count of trafficking a controlled substance, one felony count of sales of a controlled substance, two felony counts of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, one felony count of cultivating, and five counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jodi Jones, 46, faces: one felony count of sales of a controlled substance and one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act.

Austin Ray, 24, faces: one felony count of sales of a controlled substance and one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act.

Joshua Jones, 32, faces: two felony counts of trafficking a controlled substance, two felony counts of transporting a controlled substance, and one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act.

Sandra Eudave, 53, faces: one felony count of sales of a controlled substance.

Shanna Fife, 39, faces: one felony count of sales of a controlled substance and one felony count of conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substance Act.

Saline Facer, 34, faces: one felony count of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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ST. GEORGE – A 36-year-old St. George woman was arrested Friday for child abuse after her 1-year-old child was found crawling on a second story balcony and in need of medical attention, while the woman lay intoxicated and passed out on a hotel room floor.

At approximately 10:15 p.m. Thursday, officers responded to an overdose call at the Rodeway Inn Red Hills hotel located at 999 E. Red Hills Parkway in St. George, according to a probable cause statement written by St. George Police Officer Matthew Sherman in support of the arrest.

The reporting party said they found a baby wandering around the hotel who appeared to be sick and in need of an ambulance, Sherman said in the statement.

“The 1-year-old girl was found by other Rodeway Inn guests, crawling on the second story balcony of the hotel,” Police Sgt. Spencer Holmes confirmed Sunday. “They said she was vomiting and appeared to be sick.”

Upon arriving on scene, officers found the door to a hotel room open with an unresponsive woman lying on the ground just inside the doorway.

“There was a large glass bottle of an alcoholic beverage, almost completely consumed, on the table next to where (the woman) was laying,” Sherman wrote in the statement. “(The woman) was breathing, but not responding to my voice commands.”

Paramedics arrived on scene to check on the woman and the baby.

The paramedics determined that both the baby and the woman were in need of further medical assistance and they were both transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George.

“While at the hospital,” Sherman said, “the responding Gold Cross paramedics informed me that (the 1-year-old girl) showed signs of hypothermia and dehydration.”

Due to the circumstances of the incident, Sherman said the Division of Child and Family Services was contacted. DCFS representatives arrived at the hospital and took custody of the 1-year-old.

After receiving medical clearance at the hospital, the woman was arrested and transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

She was charged with a third-degree felony for abuse or neglect of a disabled child, and a class C misdemeanor for intoxication.

“Due to (the woman’s) intoxicated state, (the 1-year-old) left the motel room without supervision. It is unknown at this time how long (the 1-year-old) was wandering on the second story balcony area of the motel. Paramedics said (the 1-year-old) showed signs of hypothermia and dehydration, which constitute ‘serious physical injury.’”

The woman’s bail pending trial stands at $5,220. She is scheduled to make her initial court appearance Monday afternoon.

“This was a very hazardous situation for the baby and we were lucky she was found by other guests and she received immediate medical care,” Holmes said. “This could have been worse had it not been for those guests who stepped in to help with the small child and called 911.”

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

Ed. Note: The name of the woman has been withheld from the story to protect the identity of the child.

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ST. GEORGE – While one woman is in police custody Sunday for her role in a spree of vehicle burglaries and credit card fraud cases throughout Washington County, police are actively seeking information regarding the whereabouts of her alleged accomplice who fled from police Sunday afternoon.

The St. George Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 35-year-old Joshua Richards, of St. George, seen driving a newer model silver or grey Volkswagen Jetta with Nevada license plate 661 LTZ.

Joshua Richards, wanted by police for burglary and fraud | Photo courtesy of the St. George Police Department | Click on photo to enlarge

Richards has significant criminal history and suspected gang ties, and police are advising the public to use caution if he is spotted.

St. George Police officers were conducting follow-up Sunday in regards to several vehicle burglaries that occurred over the weekend, St. George Police Sgt. Spencer Holmes said.

One of the vehicle burglary incidents involved a silver Volvo parked in a church parking lot that had its window smashed in and credit cards stolen from inside the vehicle around 7:30 p.m. Friday, Holmes said.

Within two hours of the incident, the vehicle burglary suspects had already used the stolen credit cards at three locations in Washington County, including Game Stop, Pro Image and the Washington City Wal-Mart.

Holmes said surveillance footage was instrumental in identifying Richards as the suspect, as well as identifying the vehicle Richards was driving – a silver Volkswagen Jetta.

Just before 3:30 p.m. Sunday, the silver Jetta was located in the parking lot of Gen X clothing store, located at 2696 Pioneer Road in St. George.

When Richards spotted officers, he got into the silver Jetta and fled the area, heading south towards the SunRiver development at a high rate of speed, Holmes said. Due to heavy traffic in the area and safety concerns, officers did not pursue.

When he fled, Richards left behind a woman, identified as 20-year-old Jesse Edmiston, who was with Richards at the store, Holmes said. When officers went to question Edmiston, she fled on foot through the parking lot but was apprehended and placed under arrest after a short foot pursuit.

Jesse Skylene Edmiston, St. George area transient, Utah, booking photo posted April 19, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s booking, St. George News

Holmes said Edmiston was involved in the previous credit card fraud incident and was in the process of committing another credit card fraud when officers located her.

“Some property was found on her that led officers to inquire about additional vehicle burglaries,” Holmes said. “One of them had not even been reported or discovered by the victim yet. And that was at a hotel just one exit up at the Hilton Garden Inn.”

Edmiston was transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility and charged with 11 third-degree felonies, seven class A misdemeanors and two class B misdemeanors for multiple theft and fraud charges in addition to failing to stop at the command of the police. Her bail pending trial stands at $69,795.

Be on the lookout

Neither Richards nor the silver Jetta he was driving had been located as of Monday morning.

Richards is a suspect in multiple vehicle burglaries and credit card fraud cases and the St. George Police Department is asking the public’s help in locating him. Anyone with information regarding Richards’ whereabouts is asked to contact the St. George Police Department at 435-627-4300.

“He is a local person with local ties here,” Holmes said. “He’s also a documented gang member. He has extensive involvement with our police agencies in the area, so use caution when dealing with him or if you locate him and identify him. He’s prone to violence and theft and he does have drug involvements in the area.”

St. George Police are also asking any other potential vehicle burglary victims to report the incident so they might tie the cases together.

“It would be nice to identify any other cars that he hit,” Holmes said, “or any other people that have had their stuff stolen.”

Don’t be the next victim

When Edmiston was apprehended, police discovered she was in possession of items stolen from another smash-and-grab vehicle burglary that occurred Sunday in the parking lot of the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 1731 S. Convention Center Drive in St. George.

The window of the vehicle was broken in the middle of the day, and a purse was stolen from inside the vehicle.

“It’s very common for people to leave their wallets and purses in vehicles,” Holmes said. “The second those things are stolen, people try to use the debit and credit cards right away before the victims realize the stuff’s stolen.”

Holmes stressed the importance of not leaving valuable items inside vehicles, or to at least keep them out of sight.

“My only advice is don’t keep any valuables in your car,” he said. “People will take what is easiest to obtain and it’s very common for people to take stuff out of unlocked cars but if there’s a big, bulky mom purse, you know, with a wallet hanging out of it, it’s nothing for them to smash a window too – even in the middle of the day.”

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY – A 42-year-old man, who was arrested three times in March and was already incarcerated, is facing additional burglary, theft and criminal mischief charges for breaking into another man’s shed, helping himself to the man’s belongings and then pawning the items in March. The new charges were filed Sunday.

Deputies met with a Washington County resident on April 13, regarding a locked storage shed on his property at his second home in Veyo that had been broken into and had items stolen from it, according to a probable cause statement written by Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Judy Randall in support of the arrest.

Jerimy Jeff Chadburn, of Veyo, Utah, booking photo posted April 19, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

The perpetrator allegedly broke one of the shed windows and used a sawhorse to climb through the window before leaving with a saddle, valued at $450, and a Mercury 25XT outboard motor, valued at $2,000, Randall said in the statement of probable cause.

When deputies ran a pawned property search, they located the saddle and motor at Family Pawn in St. George, the statement said. They discovered the items had been pawned on March 6 by Jerimy Jeff Chadburn, of Veyo.

Chadburn was already incarcerated in the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility for numerous charges, including stealing $9,000 from a deceased man’s bank account which he shared with his 79-year-old mother.

He is now facing additional third-degree charges for burglary and theft, as well as a class B misdemeanor charge for criminal mischief, adding $10,680 to his bail.

Chadburn’s next court appearance for these charges is scheduled for April 27.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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ST. GEORGE – Police are still actively seeking information regarding the whereabouts of 35-year-old Joshua Richards, wanted for his role in a spree of vehicle burglaries and credit card fraud cases; however, police have located the silver Volkswagen Jetta Richards drove when he fled from police Sunday afternoon.

The Jetta driven by Richards was recovered Monday at approximately 9:30 p.m. in St. George and is now in police possession, St. George Police Sgt. Spencer Holmes said.

Joshua Richards, wanted by police for burglary and fraud | Photo courtesy of the St. George Police Department | Click on image to enlarge

A search warrant for the Jetta was approved, Holmes said, and the vehicle search produced additional evidence, including stolen credit cards and other items.

“It looks like several more credit cards and identifications were found (inside the vehicle) from additional vehicle burglaries,” Holmes said. “There was also additional evidence of fraudulent activity found inside the vehicle.”

Richards’ girlfriend and alleged accomplice in the crimes, 20-year-old Jesse Edmiston, was arrested Sunday and charged with 11 third-degree felonies, seven class A misdemeanors and two class B misdemeanors for multiple theft and fraud charges. Edmiston was also charged for not stopping when police commanded her to do so. Her bail pending trial stands at $69,795.

However, Holmes said, Edmiston is not cooperating with the investigation.

“She requested a lawyer right away and would not talk about the case or her involvement with it,” Holmes said.

Richards remains a suspect in multiple vehicle burglaries and credit card fraud cases and the St. George Police Department is asking the public’s help in locating him.

Anyone with information regarding Richards’ whereabouts is asked to contact the St. George Police Department at 435-627-4300. Information provided will remain confidential to protect the safety of anyone providing information leading to his arrest.

Richards has significant criminal history and suspected gang ties, and police are advising the public to use caution if he is spotted.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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Police seek help finding suspect in vehicle burglaries, credit card fraud

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ST. GEORGE – A 25-year-old St. George man was arrested Saturday for allegedly stealing $44,700 worth of jewelry from a residence in St. George and then hocking the stolen jewelry at a pawn shop in Las Vegas.

On Saturday morning, officers located Austin Reid Taylor who is a suspect in an open investigation involving a residential burglary, according to a probable cause statement written by St. George Police Officer Cody Adams in support of the arrest.

Austin Reid Taylor, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 18, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

Taylor is alleged to have been involved in a residential burglary reported April 9, in which $44,700 worth of jewelry was stolen from a woman’s residence in St. George.

The woman reported seeing photos of Taylor pawning the jewelry at a pawn shop in Las Vegas, according to the statement of probable cause. When the woman confronted Taylor, he allegedly admitted to taking her jewelry and then pawning it.

When officers interviewed Taylor about the incident, he admitted to taking some of the jewelry but said he did not take all of it, the statement said. However, he said he knew the person or persons who did take the rest of the jewelry but would not provide their information to police.

During the interview, Adams said in the statement, Taylor admitted to pawning the jewelry in Las Vegas.

Taylor was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility. He was charged with a second-degree felony for theft.

Fifth District Judge Eric A. Ludlow ordered Taylor’s bail amount set at $10,000 during his initial court appearance Monday.

Taylor was found indigent by the court and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Douglas Terry. He is scheduled to make his next court appearance on April 27.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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Washington County Sheriff’s Office body cam footage; Utah Department of Public Safety aerial footage

KANAB – A Kanab woman is without a vehicle after her Mitsubishi Lancer was stolen and subsequently totaled in a high-speed chase spanning two counties Tuesday night. The man who allegedly stole the vehicle was arrested Tuesday and, in addition to several charges relating to the vehicle theft and subsequent high-speed chase, received additional charges Wednesday after deputies discovered he had given them a false name and birthdate at the time of his arrest.

Ericka Reber’s totaled Mitsubishi Lancer sits at an impound lot in Hurricane, Utah, April 22, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Ericka Reber, St. George News

For Ericka Reber, of Kanab, an ordinary evening turned disastrous Tuesday as she finished loading newly washed laundry into her Mitsubishi Lancer.

“I was doing my boyfriend’s laundry and I’d just put all my stuff in my car,” she said.

Reber said she briefly went back inside her mother’s house, and that’s when a stranger approached the home. Her mother was in the kitchen and saw a man pull up in a gold Kia.

“He said he was looking for Mike or Michael or something like that,” Reber said.

Her mom told the man there wasn’t a Michael living there, but her daughter would be outside soon and might be able to help him find who he was looking for. The next thing she knew, the man had gotten inside her daughter’s Lancer and was speeding away.

“He revved the engine up first,” Reber said.

After the man drove off in the car, local authorities were called, and the incident soon turned into a high-speed chase as Kane County officers pursued him.

The man was chased from Kanab to Zion National Park, through the park, through Springdale and Virgin and eventually into Toquerville, with other law enforcement agencies joining to assist in the chase. Spikes were put down in Virgin, but the man ran over them and kept going despite damage to the car’s tires.

Once the chase reached the LaVerkin area, officers funneled the car toward Toquerville at the intersection of state Route 17 and state Route 9, according to a probable cause statement filed by Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Josh Wilson. In Toquerville, pursuing deputies were finally able to stop the car.

Ericka Reber’s totaled Mitsubishi Lancer sits at an impound lot in Hurricane, Utah, April 22, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Ericka Reber, St. George News

“I was in front of the pursuit warning on coming traffic coming into the city of Toquerville,” Wilson wrote in the statement. “As we went through town (the) pursuing vehicle got a head of me and I was able to perform the PIT maneuver. The vehicle came to rest on the bridge going over Ash Creek.”

The Lancer was totaled in the crash that resulted from the maneuver. At that point, the man driving the vehicle jumped out of the car and ran. He was pursued on foot and was finally apprehended and arrested.

At the time of his arrest, the man told officers his name was Austin Gomez, and he was subsequently booked and charged under that name. As the incident was investigated, however, information was found indicating the man’s name was actually Oscar Manuel Flores.

“(A sergeant) researched the information and found a driver’s license for Oscar Manuel Flores out of Arizona,” Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brock Bentley wrote in a probable cause statement supporting additional charges against Flores. “The driver’s license was found to have a photo that was very similar to Gomez. Gomez was fingerprinted in booking and the prints were submitted to the FBI. A matching record for the fingerprints came back showing the person was in fact Oscar Flores.”

Oscar Flores, aka Austin Gomez, of Tucson, Arizona, booking photo posted April 21, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s bookings, St. George News

A criminal history report showed “Austin Gomez” is an alias that Flores has previously used. In addition to the false name, the birthdate he gave officers at the time of his arrest was two days off from the birthdate listed for Oscar Flores, Bentley wrote in the statement. Bentley also discovered Flores had been driving on a suspended Arizona driver’s license at the time of the vehicle theft and subsequent chase.

Flores had originally been booked on one second-degree felony charge for vehicle theft; one third-degree felony charge for failure to respond to an officer’s signal to stop; one class A misdemeanor for failure to stop at an officer’s command; and one class A misdemeanor for criminal mischief. On Wednesday, additional charges were added: one class B misdemeanor for driving on a suspended license and one class C misdemeanor for giving false personal information to police.

As this report is published, Flores remains in custody at the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

Reber said she’s been told the gold Kia Flores left at her home at the time he stole her car had been stolen from an elderly woman in Tucson, Arizona.

“Some little old handicapped lady,” she said.

Kanab City Police Chief Tom Cram confirmed that the Kia was stolen from an elderly woman in Tucson. As this report is published, the Kia is being held at an impound lot, but Cram said the owner of the vehicle has been notified.

Ericka Reber’s totaled Mitsubishi Lancer sits at an impound lot in Hurricane, Utah, April 22, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Ericka Reber, St. George News

Reber said she’d only owned the Lancer for about two years at the time Flores stole it, and she was still making payments on the vehicle. She is currently driving a rental car while insurance matters are taken care of regarding her totaled Lancer. She said the value of the car was less than she owed on it, so she’s not sure what will happen regarding the insurance settlement, and she doesn’t know how much money she’ll end up with to help her purchase a new car.

“I’m going to have to wait a couple of months and get a down payment ready,” she said.

Reber’s best friend has started a GoFundMe account to help Reber replace her car.

Gomez’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday, according to court documents.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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CANE BEDS, Arizona – A man who attempted to evade arrest Tuesday was finally taken into custody after fleeing from deputies in Cane Beds, Arizona.

At about 11:40 a.m., Mohave County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a Cane Beds residence, where two women told them they were the only people on the property, according to a press release from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.

Jeremiah Roland Johnson, of Cane Beds, Arizona, booking photo posted April 21, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Kane County Jail bookings, St. George News

Deputies then made contact with a male subject at the front door of the residence, according to the press release, while another deputy covered the back of the home.

“The deputy covering the rear exit observed fresh dirt scuffle marks leading to under a parked vehicle,” the press release said. “The deputy looked under the vehicle and observed a male subject.”

The deputy announced himself and told the man hiding under the car to show his hands. The man, later identified as Jeremiah Roland Johnson, 27, of Cane Beds, scooted out from underneath the vehicle on the opposite side from where the deputy was standing and ran.

Deputies followed Johnson as he jumped over fences and ran along the main driveway of the property, according to the press release. As the driveway looped back toward the home, another deputy caught up with Johnson.

“As deputies were taking Johnson into custody he struggled,” the press release said. “Johnson would not comply with the deputy’s commands.”

Eventually, the deputies were able to take Johnson into custody.

“Johnson complained of ankle and knee pain which he said he injured when he tripped to avoid being captured,” the press release said. “Johnson also complained of soreness to his right shoulder from the struggle.”

Deputies searched Johnson and found a pipe with residue, a plastic bag containing a white crystal substance, small crystalline pieces in a glass container, and two yellow pills inside his coin pocket, according to the press release.

Medical personnel responded to the scene and took Johnson to Kane County Hospital in Kanab, where he was treated for his injuries and then medically released. Johnson was then taken to Kane County Jail.

Johnson was booked on charges of resisting arrest, drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as a warrant issued out of Kane County for possessing drugs with the intent to sell them.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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HURRICANE – A self-proclaimed license plate collector was arrested Wednesday after collecting a stolen license plate and displaying it on his car.

While on patrol, officers ran the license plate of a Geo Metro traveling on State Street in Hurricane. When the license plate returned as stolen, police initiated a traffic stop of the vehicle, according to a probable cause statement written by Hurricane City Police Officer Spencer Lundell in support of the arrest.

Brandon Lloyd Stewart, of Sigurd, Utah, booking photo posted April 22, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

The driver of the Geo Metro was identified as 33-year-old Brandon Lloyd Stewart, of Sigurd.

“(Stewart) stated that he is from Richfield and collects license plates,” Lundell wrote in the probable cause statement. “(Stewart) stated that the plate does not belong on the car, but (he) did not know that it was stolen.”

During an investigation into who the license plate belonged to, another officer and his K-9 partner arrived on scene, the statement of probable cause said. As the narcotics K-9 walked around the vehicle, he alerted to the presence of drugs inside the vehicle.

“(Stewart) stated that there was a small container of marijuana inside the vehicle,” Lundell said.

According to the probable cause statement, officers then located a pipe containing residue that tested positive for marijuana, and a small translucent bag with a white powdery substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

During a field sobriety test, Stewart showed signs of impairment but refused to give a blood sample.

“(Stewart) stated that he has used methamphetamine in the past,” Lundell wrote, “but stated that he has not used it recently.”

A warrant was signed and Stewart’s blood was drawn and placed into evidence.

Stewart was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

He was charged with a third-degree felony for possession of drugs; a class A misdemeanor for possession of drugs; three class B misdemeanors for driving with measurable controlled substance, operating a vehicle without insurance and theft by receiving stolen property; and a class C misdemeanor for using plates registered to another vehicle.

His bail pending trial stands at $7,560.

Stewart made his initial court appearance Thursday and is scheduled to make his next court appearance on April 27.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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HURRICANE – While investigating a complaint about a man speeding through a neighborhood with children in it Thursday, police arrested a 50-year-old Hurricane man after learning he failed to register his address on the sex offender registry.

Police were dispatched to a trailer park in Hurricane where a man driving a black Jaguar was allegedly speeding and spinning the car tires, making the car slide sideways, according to a probable cause statement written by Hurricane City Police Officer Kacen Gubler in support of the arrest.

Brandyn Wayd Black, of Hurricane, Utah, booking photo posted April 23, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

The witness was reportedly concerned for the safety of her kids.

When Gubler knocked on the door of the trailer where the Jaguar had been parked, Brandyn Wayd Black answered the door and the smell of burnt marijuana emitted from within the residence, the statement said.

Gubler ran Black’s information through dispatch while questioning him about the smell of marijuana and the owner of the black Jaguar. Black told Gubler the owner of the Jaguar was one of the two men who had just left prior to the officer’s arrival.

When Black’s information came back from dispatch, Gubler was advised that Black was a lifetime sex offender, the statement said.

Black admitted to living at the trailer “off and on,” according to the probable cause statement. However, he had not registered the address as his current residence on the registered sex offender list.

Neighbors told police they had seen Black at the trailer for over two months and a copy of the lease agreement showed Black as a roommate on the lease as of Feb. 27.

Gubler asked Black if he could enter the residence and Black told him he could not, Gubler said in the statement.

A search warrant for the residence was obtained. During a search of the trailer, police located various items of drug paraphernalia, wax that tested positive for marijuana, residue which tested positive for opium, as well as a long hunting knife with a blade approximately 5 inches long and a handle with built-in brass knuckles, according to the statement of probable cause.

Black was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

He was charged with a second-degree felony for drug possession; a third-degree felony for failure to register as a sex offender; and two class A misdemeanors for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Because of the location of the trailer, Black’s drug charges were enhanced because it falls within a drug-free zone – within 1,000 feet of Hurricane High school.

His bail pending trial stands at $18,886.

Black made his initial court appearance Friday and is scheduled to make his next court appearance on April 27.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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ST. GEORGE – A sketchy story and a trail of blood led police to what appeared to be a failed business burglary attempt in St. George Sunday evening.

The St. George Police Department received the initial call Sunday about 6 p.m., Sgt. Sam Despain said. The call came in as a report of a traffic accident after a man claimed he was hit by a car.

“We responded to the area of 200 North and about 100 East and made contact with an individual who had some large cuts on his arm,” Despain said.

Someone who lives in the area had approached the injured man, and that’s when police were called.

The man said his injuries were caused by being hit by a vehicle; however, after investigating the incident and listening to the man’s story, “things didn’t add up,” Despain said.

“We were able to follow a blood trail back to Steamroller Copies, where it looked like somebody had punched a hole in a large window,” Despain said.

Police believe the man used his hand or arm to break the window of Steamroller Copies, located at 67 E. St. George Blvd. and which is closed on Sundays, and then made up the story about being in an accident, Despain said.

“The injuries were severe enough on his arm that he had to be admitted to the hospital,” Despain said.

The man had extensive, serious injuries, he said. He has not yet been charged with a crime because he has been hospitalized.

“It’s more than likely that the man will be charged with criminal mischief and filing a false police report,” Despain said.

The man may be arrested and charged or else referred to the Washington County Attorney’s Office for charges. The case is still under active investigation, Despain said.

The man did not enter Steamroller Copies, Despain said.

The name of the suspect has not yet been released, as the incident is still under investigation.

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HURRICANE – A registration check and an attempted traffic stop led to a chase early Saturday morning when a man riding a motorcycle with expired registration fled from a Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy. The motorcycle turned out to be stolen.

Terry Wayne Woody, of Ogden, Utah, booking photo posted April 25, 2015 | Photo courtesy of Washington County Sheriff’s bookings, St. George News

Just before 2 a.m. Saturday, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Tibbitts ran the plate of a passing motorcycle that was traveling south on State Street in Hurricane and discovered the bike’s registration had expired in March, according to a probable cause statement filed by Tibbitts in support of the motorcyclist’s arrest. Tibbitts then saw the motorcycle swerve to the right and leave the travel lane, so he activated his lights and attempted to pull the man over.

“The motorcycle accelerated through the intersection and failed to yield to my emergency lights,” Tibbitts wrote in the statement.

Tibbitts notified dispatch and activated his siren.

Tibbitts and other deputies, who joined the chase, pursued the man through Hurricane to the Interstate 15 on-ramp near Coral Canyon and up I-15 almost to Iron County, Washington County Sheriff’s Detective Nate Abbott said.

The motorcycle came to a stop at Exit 40 and the man, later identified as Terry Wayne Woody, of Ogden, was arrested.

“It appeared that maybe the motorcycle had stalled or stopped working,” Abbott said.

Tibbitts ran the vehicle identification number on the motorcycle and discovered it had been reported stolen out of Cottonwood Heights.

Neither dispatch nor deputies could locate a valid driver’s license listed for Terry, Tibbitts wrote in the statement. Deputies ran his information through dispatch and discovered he had an active no-bail warrant for a parole violation.

“While taking inventory of the items on the motorcycle, deputies located a Crown Royal bag in the left saddle bag that contained multiple used syringes and a plastic bag with white crystal residue consistent with methamphetamine,” Tibbitts wrote in the statement.

Woody was transported to the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility. He was booked on one second-degree felony charge for receiving a stolen vehicle; a third-degree felony for failure to respond to an officer’s signal to stop; a third-degree felony for possession or use of methamphetamine; a class B misdemeanor for possession of drug paraphernalia; and a class C misdemeanor for not having a driver’s license in his possession while operating a motor vehicle. He is being held on $20,000 bail, cash only, according to court documents.

Woody had his initial court appearance Thursday.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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LAVERKIN — A 20-year-old was arrested Monday night after speeding through a residential neighborhood in LaVerkin, losing control of his vehicle and crashing into the front yard of a home.

When LaVerkin City Police arrived at the scene just after 8:30 p.m., a Mazda3 was in the front yard of a home on the 40 East block of 700 North with its front end smashed into a large boulder.

A speeding driver lost control of his vehicle and smashed into a boulder, LaVerkin, Utah, April 27, 2015 | Photo by Ric Wayman, St. George News

The house stands at the end of a long sweeping left turn, and the car was estimated to be going 60 mph when the driver lost control.

If the boulder had not been part of the landscaping, the outcome could have been a lot different, LaVerkin Police Chief Benjamin Lee said.

“When the driver lost control, he hit the brakes and there were skid marks in the front lawn,” Lee said. “Fortunately for the homeowner, the car hit a big rock that caused the majority of the damage to the vehicle; and where it actually did collide with the house, there was minimal damage, from what I understand.”

Bradley Scott Hall, of Hurricane, Utah, booking photo posted April 27, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

The driver, 20-year-old Bradley Scott Hall, of Hurricane, was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory correctional Facility. He was charged with two class B misdemeanors for speeding and operating a vehicle without insurance.

The residents of the house were home at the time of the crash, but no injuries were reported as a result of the collision, Lee said.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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ST. GEORGE – A man on probation who was previously found guilty of assault in connection with a shooting at a residence on Diagonal Street in St. George in March was again indicted Monday – this time, for allegedly receiving stolen firearms out of Millard County and then pawning them. Edward Dryden Clark was out on probation on the March charges in accordance with an April 6 judgment.

On April 16, St. George Police Detective Joshua Wilson was contacted by an investigator with the Millard County Sheriff’s Office who informed Wilson he was working a burglary case in which several firearms had been taken, according to a probable cause statement written by Wilson in support of the indictment.

Edward Dryden Clark, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 27, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

The Millard County Sheriff’s Office made an arrest in the case, the statement said, and, during an interview with the arrested suspect, the suspect told police the stolen guns were at a St. George residence belonging to 40-year-old Edward Dryden Clark.

After Millard County officials traveled to St. George in hopes of locating the stolen firearms, they learned Clark had recently been involved in another incident in which he was the suspect in a shooting that occurred at a St. George residence on March 18.

On March 19, Clark was arrested on a third-degree felony assault charge for the March 18 incident. On April 6, he pleaded guilty to an amended class A misdemeanor charge and received a five-year prison sentence that was suspended subject to his compliance with probation orders, according to the court docket in that case.

A search warrant for Clark’s residence was issued on April 23 with regard to his suspected involvement with the stolen firearms out of Millard County.

Clark agreed to meet with Wilson to talk about the situation regarding the stolen firearms, Wilson said in the statement of probable cause. However, Clark never showed up to the agreed meeting.

“Mr. Clark claimed he wasn’t home and sent me on a wild goose chase across town to a location where he never showed up to talk,” Wilson wrote in the statement. “Mr. Clark was home the entire time.”

The following day, authorities discovered the location of two of the stolen firearms. One had been pawned at a Washington City pawn shop and the other had been pawned at the Family Pawn in St. George.

The Mosin Nagant rifle pawned at the St. George pawn shop was listed as having been pawned by Clark, and was identified as one of the firearms stolen out of Millard County, the statement said.

Clark was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

He was indicted on a second-degree felony charge of theft by receiving stolen property, and a class B misdemeanor for theft by deception.

Judge Eric Ludlow, of the 5th District Court, ordered a $25,000 cash-only bail for Clark’s warrant.

Clark was found indigent by the court during his initial court appearance Monday and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Jay T. Winward, the same attorney who represented him in the March assault case. Clark is scheduled to make his next court appearance on May 4.

As this report is published, requests made to defense attorney Winward and the county attorney’s office are pending response.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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ST. GEORGE – A young man may arguably have picked a fight with the wrong person during a party where alcohol was allegedly being served to minors Sunday as he found himself arrested for assaulting a police officer.

Officers responded to the 1000 East block of 900 South on a noise complaint where it had been reported there were vehicles on the street and a loud party going on with possible underage drinking, according to a probable cause statement written by St. George Police Officer Ean Williams in support of the arrest.

Michael Burdette Sargent, of St. George, Utah, booking photo posted April 26, 2015 | Photo courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, St. George News

While officers were on scene, people began to come out of the residence as well as show up for the party.

While the officer was talking with three people near the residence, the statement said, 23-year-old Michael Burdette Sargent walked around the corner and asked his friend to come over to him. His friend reportedly told him no because the police were running his identification.

After the officer told Sargent his friend could speak with him in a moment, Sargent began to walk in the officer’s direction, according to the statement of probable cause; the officer wrote in the statement:

I asked him if I could help him while his friend was telling him to stay back. Michael picked up his pace and balled his fists up. I yelled at Michael ‘police, stop right there!’ Michael said ‘nah, nigga’ and squared up into a fighting stance. Michael put his right foot forward and brought his arms up with his hands balled into fists as I was backing up to create distance. Michael then took … a step towards me and lunged forward with his right shoulder as if to strike me.

Williams drew his TASER and yelled “police, get on the ground!” at which point, Sargent complied and told Williams he was just “playing,” according to the probable cause statement.

Another officer placed Sargent into handcuffs and detained him. Officers learned Sargent lived at the home where the party was taking place and alcohol was allegedly provided for minors to consume.

Sargent was arrested and booked into the Washington County Purgatory Correctional Facility.

He was charged with a class A misdemeanor for assault on a police officer, two class B misdemeanors for contributing to the delinquency of a minor and negligently providing alcohol to a minor, and a class C misdemeanor for intoxication.

Fifth District Judge Michael Westfall ordered Sargent’s bail amount set at $5,000 during his initial court appearance Monday. Sargent was found indigent by the court and will be represented by court-appointed attorney Aric Cramer. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 5.

Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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