Davison County felony court from Sept. 24 – Mitchell Republic

MITCHELL — The following cases were among those heard Tuesday, September 24, during a circuit court session at the Davison County Public Safety Center, with Judge Chris Giles presiding:

• Flor Vizcarra-Serrano, 23, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to manufacture/distribute/possess cocaine, a Class 4 felony which carries a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. A jury trial is scheduled for February.  
• Douglas Endorf, 50, of Centerville, was granted a suspended imposition of sentence for his third offense driving under the influence (DUI) charge in 2022. Judge Chris Giles noted that he typically doesn’t offer such leniency in felony DUI cases. However, the judge made an exception for Endorf, citing his optimism about the defendant’s progress towards rehabilitation.
• Heath Kroeze, 22, of Orange City, Iowa, pleaded guilty to a first offense driving under the influence (DUI) charge with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or more, classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor. According to court documents, Kroeze was driving at speeds over 100 mph with a blood alcohol content of 0.178 – more than twice the legal limit – when he side-swiped a semi-truck. As part of his sentence, Kroeze was fined $500 and ordered to serve three days in jail, with credit for one day already served. He has also completed a Mothers Against Drunk Driving course. The plea agreement led to the dismissal of three additional Class 1 misdemeanor charges: failure to stop at an accident causing property damage, reckless driving, and a separate first offense DUI charge. The court granted Kroeze a suspended imposition of sentence. This means that if he successfully completes the terms of his probation, the case file will be sealed.
• Connor Hohn, 19, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to under 21 driver, a Class 2 misdemeanor. As part of a plea agreement, several other charges were dismissed, including possession of alcohol by a minor, use/possession of drug paraphernalia (both Class 2 misdemeanors), and two counts of possession of a controlled substance (Class 5 felonies). The court imposed a $300 fine on Hohn and sentenced him to 30 days in jail with 29 days suspended, and he received credit for one day already served. Additionally, Hohn’s driving privileges were suspended for 30 days, though he was granted a work permit during this period.
• Richard Dukes, 50, of Mitchell, appeared on a probation violation. The case was continued for two weeks to give Dukes time to secure a court-appointed attorney. 
• Noe Ramos-Lopez, 26, of Mitchell, failed to appear on multiple charges. These include speeding, failure to maintain financial responsibility, and driving without a license, all Class 2 misdemeanors. He is also charged with impersonation to deceive a law enforcement officer, a first-offense DUI, both Class 1 misdemeanors, as well as a third-offense DUI, a Class 6 felony. The court issued a $2000 cash bond bench warrant.
• Brenda Cain, 48, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to violating a protection order, a Class 1 misdemeanor. A December jury trial is scheduled. 
• Ryan Anderson, 44, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance (cocaine), a Class 4 felony; possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), a Class 5 felony; and unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance (cocaine), a Class 6 felony. A December jury trial is scheduled. 
• Lateef Roger Maoddox, 34, of Deland, Florida, pleaded not guilty to use/possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor; possession of 2 ounces or less of marijuana, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and two counts of possession of a controlled substance (meth and hash oil), Class 5 felonies. A jury trial is scheduled for February. 
• Brandi Allen, 27, of Mitchell, appeared in court on multiple charges, including obstructing police and resisting arrest, both Class 1 misdemeanors, and two counts of simple assault against a law enforcement officer, Class 6 felonies. As Allen is currently participating in a treatment program, the court granted a continuance. A previously scheduled October jury trial was postponed to December. 
• Carlos Espinosa Vargas, 60, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to a second-offense DUI and hit and run, both Class 1 misdemeanors. Sentencing was postponed to allow the State’s Attorney time to determine restitution amounts for two vehicles damaged in the hit and run accident. Espinosa-Vargas was released pending his next court appearance. As part of the plea agreement several charges were dismissed, including use/possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, failure to maintain financial responsibility, resisting an officer, all Class 2 misdemeanors; possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony. 
• Darious Johnson, 36, of Sioux Falls, pleaded guilty to two felony charges: aggravated eluding (Class 6) and grand theft of $5000 to $100,000 (Class 4). Sentencing was postponed to allow time for a presentencing report to be prepared. As part of the plea agreement several charges were dismissed, including driving without a license, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, both Class 2 misdemeanors; traffic in/substitute plates, possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, both Class 1 misdemeanors; and possession of a controlled substance and grand theft of $2500 to $5000, both Class 5 felonies.
• Brayan Duran-Escobar, 18, of Mitchell, failed to appear on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor, a Class 6 felony and possession/manufacture/distribution of child pornography, a Class 4 felony. The court issued a $5000 cash bond bench warrant.
• Tyler Brockway, 29, of Osceola, Indiana, admitted to a probation violation. He was sentenced to five years in prison, with three years suspended. He was credited for 64 days already served. The probation Brockway violated stemmed from previous convictions on two charges, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor, and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony. 
• Patrick Ross, 51, of Canton, pleaded not guilty to grand theft of $5000 to $100,000, a Class 4 felony. A jury trial is scheduled for December. 
• Derel Schleder, 46, of Mitchell, admitted to a probation violation. The court granted a two week continuance to allow time for Schleder to receive a response regarding his potential acceptance into drug court. 
• Tina Mann, 49 of Hammond, Minnesota, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including use/possession of drug paraphernalia and an illegal lane change, both Class 2 misdemeanors; possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and two counts of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine and cocaine), Class 5 felonies. A December jury trial is scheduled. 
• Angela Stewart, 52, of Wingate, Indiana, pleaded not guilty to multiple drug-related charges, including use/possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor; possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), a Class 5 felony; and manufacturing/distribution/possession of drugs (cocaine), a Class 4 felony. A jury trial is scheduled for February. 
• Dakota Rouse, 38, of Marty, appeared in court for a status hearing on multiple charges, including failure to make a proper stop, failure to maintain financial responsibility and careless driving, all Class 2 misdemeanors; driving with a revoked license, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and a sixth-offense DUI, a Class 4 felony. A jury trial is scheduled for October.
• Houston Red Day, 36, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a Class 5 felony. Red Day was sentenced to five years in prison with all time suspended. He received a credit for 162 days already served. As part of a plea agreement, two additional charges were dismissed, including use/possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor, and possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, a Class 1 misdemeanor. 
• Phillip St. John, 45, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to domestic abuse – simple assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor. A third-offense domestic abuse – simple assault charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement. St. Phillip was fined $300 and sentenced to 105 days in jail with 90 days suspended. He received credit for 15 days already served. 
• Taylor Mettler, 25, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a Class 5 felony. Mettler was sentenced to five years in prison with all time suspended, ordered to serve two years probation and was fined $750. She received credit for seven days already served. A Class 2 misdemeanor charge of use/possession of drug paraphernalia was dismissed as part of a plea agreement. 
• Michael St. Pierre, 25, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to a third-offense simple assault (domestic abuse) charge, a Class 6 felony. This was St. Pierre’s third simple assault conviction within a ten-year period. According to court documents, St. Pierre physically assaulted his girlfriend, punching her in the face multiple times. The attack resulted in a broken cheek bone for the victim. He was sentenced to two years in prison with all time suspended. He was additionally sentenced to two years of probation and was fined $500. 
• Randy Hedge, 38, of Sioux Falls, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a Class 5 felony. The court granted a six-week continuance to allow time for the preparation of a presentencing report. As part of a plea agreement, several charges were dismissed, including use or possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, both Class 2 misdemeanors; and unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance and possession of controlled substances (buprenorphine hydrochloride and methamphetamine), both Class 5 felonies. 
• Jesse Puepke, 60, of Mitchell, pleaded not guilty to use or possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of two ounces or less of marijuana, both Class 2 misdemeanors, and to unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony. Because Puepke is still in treatment at Stepping Stones, a jury trial previously scheduled for October was moved to December. 
• Joseph Moyer, 42, of Huron, appeared in court to request new legal representation. Moyer petitioned the court for a court-appointed attorney. Moyer is facing charges of use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor and possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a Class 5 felony charge, which carries a five year prison sentence and/or a $10,000 fine. 
• Mason Means, 26, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to a second-offense DUI charge, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Means was sentenced to 96 days in jail with 90 days suspended with a six day credit for time already served. Additionally, he was fined $500 and his license was revoked for one year. Several charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement, including littering, open alcoholic beverage container in a vehicle, resisting a law enforcement officer, all Class 2 misdemeanors; a hit and run, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and grand theft of $1000 to $2500, a Class 6 felony. 
• Emily Ortiz, 22, of Sioux Falls, appeared in court on multiple charges, including two counts of use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor; possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony; and manufacturing/distribution/possession of drugs, a Class 4 felony. A two-week continuance was granted. A jury trial is scheduled for December.
• Dianna Cain, 78, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to violation of a protection order, a Class 1 misdemeanor. A jury trial is scheduled for December. 
• Brion Mathews, 28, of Sioux Falls, pleaded guilty second-degree eluding, a Class 6 felony. He was sentenced to two years prison time. He received credit for 23 days already served. He was also ordered to pay $200 in restitution for a TV he broke while in custody. Multiple charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement, including speeding, driving with no driver’s license, both Class 2 misdemeanors; reckless driving and traffic in/substitute plates, both Class 1 misdemeanors; and grand theft of $2000-$5000, a Class 5 felony. 
• Katina Wells, 51, of Reelsville, Indiana, pleaded not guilty to several drug related charges, including use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor; possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony; and manufacturing/distribution/possession of drugs (cocaine), a Class 4 felony. A jury trial is scheduled for February. 
• William Pomeroy, 34, of Sioux Falls, failed to appear in court as he is in custody in Minnehaha County. A two-week continuance was granted. He is facing charges of use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor; first-degree petty theft, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony. 
• Amanda Cournoyer, 42, of Mitchell, failed to appear in court in relation to failure to comply with the 24/7 program. The court issued a $2000 cash bond bench warrant. 
• John Clifford, 48, of Sioux Falls, failed to appear in court as he is in custody in Minnehaha County. A status hearing was set for two weeks. He is facing multiple charges, including use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor; obstructing police, driving with a revoked license, and impersonation to deceive law enforcement officers, all Class 1 misdemeanors; and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 5 felony. 
• Shanowa Kohl, 31, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). She was sentenced to five years in prison, with all time suspended. She was ordered to serve two years probation and was fined $750. Additionally, Kohl was sentenced to serve 10 days in jail with credit for two days already served. As part of a plea agreement use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class 2 misdemeanor, charge was dismissed.
• Mark Pretre, 30, of Mitchell, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute, a Class 4 felony. A presentencing report was ordered. He will be sentenced in November. As part of a plea agreement, charges of possession of a controlled substance and unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance, both Class 5 felonies; driving with a revoked license, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and use or possession of drug paraphernalia, a Class misdemeanor, were all dismissed.
• Jewel Old Lodge, 32, of Sioux Falls, admitted to a parole violation. Due to multiple issues with probation compliance, she was sentenced to five years in prison, with three years suspended. She received credit for 54 days already served.
• Tangi Taylor, 32, of Pukwana, admitted to a parole violation. She was sentenced to five years in prison, with three years suspended. She received credit for 38 days already served. 
• Paris Rodgers, 37, of South Bend, Indiana was unsuccessfully discharged from probation. She received credit for 23 days already served. An unsuccessful discharge from probation means that Rodgers failed to meet one or more conditions of her probation.
• Braedon Citterman, 25, of Mitchell, appeared in court for an extradition hearing. Citterman is currently considered a fugitive from justice, wanted by authorities in the state of Minnesota. The court scheduled a status hearing for two weeks from now. This hearing will serve as a checkpoint to review the progress of the extradition process. If Citterman has not been transferred to Minnesota’s custody by that time, the status hearing will allow the court to reassess the situation and determine the next steps.

Jennifer Leither joined the Mitchell Republic in April 2024. She was raised in Sioux Falls, S.D. where she attended Lincoln High School. She continued her education at South Dakota State University, graduating in December 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. During her time in college, Leither worked as a reporter for the campus newpaper, The Collegian. She also interned for Anderson Publications in Canistota, SD the summer of 2000. Upon graduation, Leither continued to reside in the Sioux Falls area and worked as a freelance writer for the Argus Leader for a number of years.
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