OFFENSES
REPORTED
These offense reports were released this past week by law enforcement agencies:
SHERIFF
Driving and possessing a firearm while under the influence of alcohol
On-duty part-time Peabody police officer Chad L. Voth, 49, Hillsboro, allegedly drove his squad car and carried his Glock 22 .40-caliber handgun while having a blood-alcohol level 1½ times the legal limit at 7:39 p.m. Aug. 27 at US-50 and Pawnee Rd.
Sheriff’s deputy Landis Goodman suspected alcohol on Voth’s breath after working with him on a traffic stop. When Voth’s vehicle later was checked at Peabody’s police station, two cans of Coors Light beer were recovered, according to Goodman’s report.
Voth was fired and jailed but was released an hour later after posting a $2,500 surety bond.
County attorney Joel Ensey’s office later announced that it would not pursue charges of driving under the influence because no officer involved in Voth’s arrest had seen him drive. The firearms charge will go forward.
Driving under the influence, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia
A container and an unspecified amount of marijuana were seized after a motorist stopped to talk to a sheriff’s deputy at 9:27 p.m. Aug. 30 at 190th and Nighthawk Rd.
Monitored transmissions indicate that deputy Matthew Regier, joined by deputy Joel Womochil, conducted a field-sobriety test, then attempted to arrange for someone to pick up a dog traveling with the motorist before towing his vehicle.
Transmissions and an official offense report do not indicate how drugs and paraphernalia might have been discovered.
Kevin L. Clegg, 59, Hillsboro was booked into county jail. He was released 12 hours later after posting a $2,500 surety bond.
Possession of stimulants and drug paraphernalia
A scale, three plastic bags, a glass pipe, a bag, and 1.1 grams of solid methamphetamine — enough for hundreds of vaped or smoked doses — were seized during a traffic stop at 1:16 a.m. Sept. 3 on US-56 near Falcon Rd.
Brent C. Billinger, 39, McPherson, whom monitored radio transmissions indicated was wanted in Barton County, was stopped by deputy Matthew Regier.
Regier called for fellow deputy and drug-dog handler Josh Meliza to check Billinger’s car.
After Meliza’s dog reportedly indicated the presence of illicit substances, the vehicle was searched. Billinger, who already had been detained because of the Barton County warrant, was arrested on suspicion of possessing meth and paraphernalia.
He was booked into county jail and released three days later after posting a $10,000 surety bond.
Also seized was a 2003 Buick Lasabre, which the sheriff’s office may seek to retain under forfeiture laws that allow seizure of vehicles used during commission of a drug crime.
HILLSBORO
Aggravated and simple domestic battery, criminal damage, disorderly conduct
Four members of a suspect’s extended family — his 14-year-old stepdaughter, 33-year-old wife, 66-year-old father, and 57-year-old female in-law from McPherson — were victims of what police say was a drunken rage between 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday in the 700 block of S. Washington St.
Zachary J. Gutierrez, 28, Hillsboro, was arrested on suspicion of domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, disorderly conduct, and criminal damage to property.
During an argument, he allegedly struck his wife on her head, causing minor injuries, and put his arm across her throat, restricting her breathing.
He also is accused of threatening his stepdaughter, who called police, and of pushing his father to the ground and punching a rear window out of his McPherson in-law’s vehicle, causing an estimated $800 in damage.
A Hillsboro officer and eventually three sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to bring the situation under control.
Before taking Gutierrez to jail, police had him evaluated by Hillsboro ambulance attendants for psychological issues.
He was released a day later after posting a $10,000 surety bond.
Last modified Sept. 15, 2022