Motion Day Docket, Hancock County
Benjamin pleads guilty
Crystal Benjamin, formerly of Lewisport, entered a plea of guilty to a charge of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree during motion day proceedings December 22 at the Hancock County Judicial Center. In exchange for her plea of guilty, the court diverted Benjamin’s sentence for a period of five years.
Benjamin’s case started on June 16, 2019 when Kentucky State Police Trooper Schroader responded to a call of an intoxicated woman in the road in the 1700 block of state Route 2181. Trooper Schroader’s report says Benjamin appeared under the influence of a stimulant. During a search, Trooper Schroader’s report says drug related items were located in her belongings, so he placed her under arrest.
In December of 2019 the Hancock County grand jury indicted Benjamin on charges of public intoxication controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance in the first degree and possession of drug paraphernalia. In August of this year the state offered Benjamin a plea bargain agreement in which the state agreed to drop the remaining charges in the case if she entered a plea of guilty to the possession of a controlled substance charge.
Blan offered plea deal
Commonwealth Attorney Blake Chambers’ office offered Hawesville resident Robert D. Blan a plea bargain deal in his case before Hancock County Circuit Court during motion day proceeding December 22, 2020. In exchange for a plea of guilty to a charge of possessing a controlled substance in the first degree and to a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia, the state agreed to drop the remaining charge in the case. A presentence hearing is scheduled for 1-26-21 on the agreement.
The case started on December 24, 2019 when a Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy noticed Blan’s vehicle sitting in the Bill’s IGA parking lot in Hawesville at a distance from the building. The deputy approached the vehicle, and a quick investigation uncovered drug related items. The deputy placed Blan under arrest. In June of this year the Hancock County grand jury indicted Blan on charges of tampering with physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance in the first degree and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Faucett’s probation revoked
Hancock County Circuit Court Judge Tim Coleman revoked Tell City, Ind. resident Michael W. Faucett Jr’s probation agreement during motion day proceedings on December 22, 2020. The Commonwealth revoked Faucett’s probation for failing to report to his probation officer, having a positive drug screening and exiting from court ordered rehab in September of this year. The court ordered Faucett to serve the remainder of his three-year jail sentence.
Polston offered plea deal
Commonwealth Attorney Blake Chambers’ office offered Cannelton, Ind. resident Rhonda M. Polston a plea bargain agreement in her case before Hancock County Circuit Court during motion day proceeding December 22, 2020. In exchange for a plea of guilty to a charge of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, the state offered to dismiss the remaining charges in the case. A presentence hearing is scheduled for 1-26-21 on the agreement.
Polston’s case started in January of this year when Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy BJ Burton conducted a traffic stop on Polston’s moped for not having a taillight. Burton asked to see Polston’s operator’s license, and when she handed him her wallet, Burton noticed a clear pouch on the wallet contained a bag of crystal methamphetamine. Burton placed Polston under arrest. In June of this year the Hancock County grand jury indicted Polston on charges of no tail lamps, resisting arrest, failure to produce insurance card, possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, possession of a controlled substance in the third degree and possession of marijuana.
Unser granted probation
Ferdinand, Ind. resident Andrew L. Unser received a five-year probated sentence on a charge of possession of a controlled substance in the first degree-first offense during motion day proceeding December 22, 2020 at the Hancock County Judicial Center. Prior to granting Unser probation, the court sentenced him to three-years in jail on the possession charge.
Unser’s case started in June of 2017. Hancock County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Emmick conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Unser was a passenger. Lewisport Police Officer Greg Linn assisted with the stop. According to Emmick’s report, Linn witnessed Unser messing with a 32-ounce drink cup. Upon inspection, officers discovered hypodermic needles inside the cup. Officers then placed Unser under arrest. In August of 2017 the Hancock County grand jury indicted Unser on charges of possession of synthetic drugs-first offense, tampering with physical evidence, possession of a controlled substance in the first degree-first offense, receiving stolen property over $500 and possession of drug paraphernalia. After receiving a probated sentence on the possession charge, the court dismissed the remaining charges pending against Unser.
Winkler found guilty
Hancock County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Coleman found Lewisport resident David Paul Winkler guilty on several different charges during motion day proceedings December 22 at the Hancock County Judicial Center. The court found Winkler guilty of operating a motor vehicle on a suspended/revoked operator’s license, resisting arrest, fleeing or evading police in the second degree, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and receiving stolen property. A presentence hearing is scheduled for 1-26-21 at 2 p.m. in the case.
The case started in September of 2019 when Lewisport police officer Greg Linn conducted a traffic stop on Winkler, and Winkler struggled with Linn in an effort to evade arrest. In October of 2019 the Hancock County grand jury indicted Winkler on charges of operating on a suspended/revoked operator’s license, resisting arrest, fleeing or evading police in the second degree, receiving stolen property-firearm and being a persistent felony offender in the first degree. The court dropped the persistent felony offender charge.
