Convicted burglar Joseph Ralph Duane Romaker was late last week sentenced to serve about four years in prison for his part in burglaries at three residences last year.
Romaker, guilty by his own admission in January, pled guilty on three files:
He admitted a second-degree break-in at the Kerry Johnson residence last July.
He admitted to a first-degree break-in at the John Seaborn residence near Jasper, also last year.
In October, he admitted to a burglary at the Dave Krusemark residence.
Romaker was sentenced to prison on all three files. He was sentenced to a total of 78 months on the first-degree charge – the Seaborn residence – and will serve two-thirds of the sentence, or 52 months. He also received 43- and 28-month sentences on the other second-degree charges, but they are concurrent with the more serious charge, meaning time will be served simultaneously on all three charges.
Other charges in the burglary-related files will be dismissed.
In other news from District court:
A warrant will be issued for Ryan Jay Kuyper unless Public Defender Robert Maunu is able to make contact with him for court appearances. Kuyper was not present for a scheduled court appearance Tuesday morning.
Bambi Jamaica Peters entered a not guilty plea to charges of check forgery and offering a forged check. A tentative jury trial has been scheduled for May 5.
Shane Rex Watts entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree driving while impaired. He will pay a $500 fine and be on unsupervised probation for two years.
A scheduled omnibus hearing for Dennis Paul Rydell was continued to this Thursday, March 25. Rydell is charged with third-degree driving while impaired, reckless driving and speeding.
A scheduled omnibus hearing for Charles James Einck, who is charged with criminal sexual conduct in the first degree and criminal sexual conduct in the third degree, was also rescheduled for this Thursday, March 25. On two other files, Einck was sentenced to 30-day jail sentences for third-degree burglary and theft.
Another continued omnibus hearing to this Thursday involves Shawn Paul Nelson, who is charged with one count of controlled substance crime in the first degree (methamphetamine with intent to sell); two counts of first-degree controlled substance crime (possession of methamphetamine); one count of controlled substance crime in the fourth degree (possession of marijuana) and one count of controlled substance crime in the fifth degree (possession of marijuana with intent to sell). He is also charged with controlled substance crime not evidenced by a tax stamp.
Jean Marie DeZeeuw pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in the third degree Tuesday morning. She has already served the 30-day jail term but must also pay a $1,000 fine, with community service, and must undergo a chemical dependency assessment and submit to random sampling. Other charges were dismissed.
A omnibus hearing has been scheduled for Apr. 20 at 9 a.m. for Willard Edwin Cousins.
Joseph Medallis received a 30-day jail sentence after pleading guilty to driving while impaired in the second degree.
Marcella Mary Glines will be sentenced May 4 after pleading guilty on March 16 to possessing stolen property.
A scheduled probation violation hearing for Ann Trent Novak was held. Novak admitted to the violation and will be sentenced on Apr. 2.
Donald Ray Hebert was found in violation of probation during a recent probation hearing, and will be sentenced on March 30.
Written by: Mark Fode
Romaker sentenced to four years in prison
Convicted burglar Joseph Ralph Duane Romaker was late last week sentenced to serve about four years in prison for his part in burglaries at three residences last year.