From the Barton County Attorney's Office...
Wednesday afternoon a Barton County Jury returned six guilty verdicts against Michael Clark for Possession with Intent to Distribute over 100 grams of Methamphetamine, Conspiracy to Commit Possession with Intent to Distribute over 100 grams of Methamphetamine, Distribution of Methamphetamine, and three counts of No Drug Tax Stamp.
Five of seven charges were from December 20, 2022, when the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the KBI and the Great Bend Police Department, executed a search warrant and discovered what was initially believed to be around 12 pounds of meth. Subsequent KBI lab testing, and other intelligence, revealed that 7 pounds was non-narcotics which was purchased with the belief it was methamphetamine.
Jury selection began Monday with opening statements and evidence that afternoon. The State of Kansas rested Wednesday morning. Wednesday afternoon the jury heard closing arguments. The jury deliberated for about an hour before returning the six guilty verdicts and one acquittal.
Following the verdict, Barton County Attorney Levi Morris asked the Court to modify Clark’s bond and hold him in jail pending sentencing. The defendant was on an O.R. bond following the refiling of these charges in 2023. After a brief discussion, District Court Judge Steve Johnson remanded Clark into custody and set bond as $300,000.
The primary conviction in this case carries a possible prison sentence of 138 months to 204 months. The State of Kansas believes Clark’s criminal history score will be “C” which gives him a presumed prison sentence of 178 months. The Barton County case number is 23-CR-296.
The State of Kansas was represented by Barton County Attorney Levi Morris and Assistant County Attorney Rita Sunderland. The Defendant was represented by Donald Anderson II and Audra Asher.