Sentences handed down in ongoing Norton County drug investigation

Norton County Attorney

NORTON — Melissa M. Schoen, Norton County Attorney announces the sentencing of the following individuals in 2019 who were arrested by the Norton County Sheriff’s Department and Norton Police Department as a result of their on-going drug investigations.

In January, Dawson Stevens was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 41 months having been found guilty of Attempted Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer and Flee and Elude of Law Enforcement. After serving his prison sentence, Stevens will be under supervision with Community Corrections on post release and probation. He was also sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 32 months for having been found guilty of Distribution of Cocaine and Distribution of Methamphetamine. This sentence was suspended to 18 months of probation. Stevens must register as a drug offender with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for 25 years as a result of the convictions for distribution of cocaine and methamphetamine.

In February, Kyle Burge was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 32 months having been found guilty of Possession of Methamphetamine. His sentence was suspended to 18 months of probation with Community Corrections for the defendant to obtain drug treatment.

Also, in February, Jonathan Towery was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 40 months having been found guilty of Possession of Methamphetamine and Distribution of Methamphetamine. The sentence was suspended to 18 months of probation with Community Corrections for the defendant to obtain drug treatment. Towery must register as a drug offender with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for 15 years as a result of the conviction for distribution of methamphetamine.

In March, Joseph Gilbert was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 49 months having been found guilty of Distribution of Methamphetamine. His sentence was suspended to 18 months of probation with Community Corrections for the defendant to obtain drug treatment. Gilbert must register as a drug offender with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for 15 years as a result of the conviction for distribution of methamphetamine.

Also in March, Christopher Chastain was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 48 months having been found guilty of Possession of Methamphetamine and Distribution of Methamphetamine. His sentence was suspended to 18 months of probation with Community Corrections for the defendant to obtain drug treatment. Chastain must register as a drug offender with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for 15 years as a result of the conviction for distribution of methamphetamine.

On April 1, Wiyanna Burge was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 51 months having been found guilty of Distribution of Marijuana and felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Her sentence was suspended to 36 months of supervised probation with Community Corrections for the defendant to obtain drug and alcohol treatment.

On April 8, Michael Cliff was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 27 months having been found guilty of Distribution of Methamphetamine. His sentence was suspended to 18 months of supervised probation with Court Services for the defendant to obtain drug and alcohol treatment. Cliff must register as a drug offender with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for 15 years as a result of the conviction for distribution of methamphetamine.

Also on April 8, Cody Stewart was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for 29 months having been found guilty of Attempted Distribution of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Use a of Communication Facility, and Possession of Methamphetamine. His sentence was suspended to 18 months of supervised probation with court services.

“I would like to thank the Norton Sheriff’s Department and the Norton Police Department for their ongoing investigations and continued hard work on cleaning up Norton County,” Schoen said.