10 years ago

Childress – On Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, five pleas took place in Childress County, Texas.

Luke Inman, the District Attorney for the 100th Judicial District, assisted by Greg Buckley, prosecuted the cases for the State of Texas with the Honorable Judge Stuart Messer presiding.

1. Sklyer Kent Jones pleaded true to allegations listed in the State’s Motion to Adjudicate Guilt and was sentenced to 14 months in the State Jail Division of Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the state jail felony offense of possession of a controlled substance.

On Nov. 10, 2011, Jones, 22, originally pleaded guilty to offense that occurred on Jan. 8, 2011, in Childress County.

The State filed the motion on Jan. 6, 2015, alleging 12 violations of community supervision.

Jones is also required to pay $376 in court costs to Childress County, a $2,000 fine, and $140 restitution.

2. William MacWithey was convicted for the Class A Misdemeanor offense of unlawful use of a criminal instrument. MacWithey pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two days in the Childress County Jail for the offense.

Williams, 54-year-old resident of Wills Point, Colo., was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place Sept. 10, 2013 by DPS Troopers Chad Baize and Darik Heider. MacWithey was indicted by a Childress County Grand Jury on Aug. 6, 2014.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, MacWithey was required to pay an upfront $4,000 fine to Childress County, $400.50 in court costs, and $140 restitution.

3. Mark Wesley Clevenger was convicted for the third degree felony offense of unlawful possession of a firearm. Clevenger pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 years in the Institutional Division of TDCJ, but the sentence was probated for a period of three years for the offense.

Clevenger, 40-year-old resident of Childress, was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place Dec. 1, 2014 by Childress Police Officer Todd Gambol. Clevenger was indicted by a Childress County Grand Jury on Jan. 12, 2015.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Clevenger was required to pay $400.50 in court costs, a $3,000.00 fine, and complete 200 hours of community service.

4. Edric LeWayne Wheeler was placed on probation for a period of three years for the state jail felony offense of forgery. Wheeler pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Wheeler, 23-year-old resident of Houston, was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place Aug. 24, 2014 by Childress Police Officer Jesse Zuniga. Wheeler was indicted by a Childress County Grand Jury on Dec. 2, 2014.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Wheeler is required to pay a $500 fine to Childress County, $400.50 in court costs, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Wheeler violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.

5. Eric Todd Watkins was placed on probation for a period of two years for the state jail felony offense of engaging in organized criminal activity. Watkins pleaded guilty and was placed on deferred adjudication for the offense.

Watkins, 25-year-old resident of Vernon, was arrested in Childress County for the offense that took place Aug. 15, 2014 by Childress Police Officer Toby Brazee. Watkins was indicted by a Childress County Grand Jury on Jan. 12, 2015.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Watkins is required to pay a $500 fine to Childress County, $400.50 in court costs, $620.92 restitution, and successfully complete 100 hours of community service. If Watkins violates probation, he could face up to two years in the State Jail Division of the TDCJ.