HUTCHINSON -The state is seeking a bond forfeiture for a Kansas man arrested in January for being in possession of a large quantity of high-grade marijuana.

Demarcus Phillips Sr., 28, Hutchinson, is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana with a prior conviction.

He apparently bonded out, but has failed to show in court in the case.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton was before Judge Joe McCarville seeking the forfeiture.

The judge had been told that Phillips would appear last week, but that didn’t happen.

The bonding company asked for more time, but the judge said if he didn’t appear on Monday, the bonding company would be liable to pay the $7,500 bond.

On January 18, Reno County Drug Unit detectives observed a vehicle pull into the back of a residence in the 1300 block of East 3rd Street in Hutchinson.

They saw a white male walk up to the driver’s side window and met with a black male.

Officers approached the vehicle and allege that they could smell a strong odor of marijuana. The white male and two black males in the vehicle were placed in handcuffs.

Detectives say behind the driver’s seat was a restaurant bag that contained four aluminum pans each containing gallon size zip-lock bag, two pounds of marijuana.

They also found three previously rolled marijuana cigarettes in the vehicle.

Phillips could face an additional charge of aggravated failure to appear.

He also has prior convictions for drugs offenses in Sedgwick County and a possession with intent to sell conviction out of Saline County.
The Reno County case is still pending a preliminary hearing.