Several defendants in recent high-profile cases involving a drug bust and an alleged robbery and assault had their cases continued Tuesday.The four men, accompanied by…
Several defendants in recent high-profile cases involving a drug bust and an alleged robbery and assault had their cases continued Tuesday.
The four men, accompanied by counsel, appeared for their preliminary hearings before Chardon Municipal Court Judge Terri Stupica.
Chris Barnett, represented by attorney Casey O’Brien, was arrested after he and Chase Kontur and Gerald Wise allegedly attacked Amish community members and attempted to rob them in several recent incidents. He has been charged with felonious assault, a second-degree felony, punishable by between two to eight years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines.
O’Brien asked for a continuance, which Stupica granted. His preliminary hearing will now take place July 28.
Stupica also agreed to reduce his bond from $40,000 — set June 30 by visiting Judge William Kobelak — to $25,000.
“You are not allowed to leave Ohio without the court’s permission,” she told Barnett prior to granting the continuance.
Kontur, represented by Geauga County Public Defender Robert Umholtz, has been charged with felonious assault and faces the same penalties as Barnett. His bond was reduced from $75,000 to $50,000, Umholtz said.
“He had told the visiting judge (Kobelak) he was homeless at the time he made his initial appearance June 30,” Umholtz said. “His bond was set at $75,000 at the time.”
Recently, Kontur’s mother, Sally Riebe, of Middlefield Township, offered her home as a place to stay if Kontur was able to post bond, Umholtz noted.
As a result, the judge reduced Kontur’s bond Wednesday.
Prior to the bond reduction, Riebe took the stand as well.
“You do not fear anything with this?” Stupica asked Riebe.
“No, your honor, I do not,” Riebe replied.
Wise, who did not have an attorney present, had his case continued to 9 a.m. July 28 as well, Umholtz said.
Another major defendant, Omar Ernesto Solano Lopez, has been charged with first-degree felony drug possession.
Lopez, along with three others, was arrested on various crimes related to a June 11 drug bust in Newbury Township. Police found a stockpile of drugs, cash and weapons at a home on Parkview Drive during the raid.
Lopez’s charge carries a punishment of up to a $20,000 fine and three to 11 years in prison. He will file indigent financial aid forms, Umholtz said, and his preliminary hearing will take place at 2 p.m. July 11 in municipal court.
Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said Lopez and the other defendants will be indicted on numerous additional charges in the near future.
