Guilty pleas entered in domestic violence, meth, burglary, attempted murder, kidnapping cases

(From Cherokee County Attorney Jake Conard)

April 2019 update from the Cherokee County Attorney's Office:

Jason Upton pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated battery. Both counts were designated as domestic violence offenses. Upton will be sentenced on May 14, 2019. These offenses were investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office - Kansas and the Galena Police Department.

(Note: Photos are in the order the names are mentioned.)

Ashley Edens pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and violation of the Kansas Offender Registration Act. Edens will be sentenced on May 28, 2019.

This conviction is the result of a search warrant executed by deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office in December 2018.

Kenneth Ashburn pleaded guilty to burglary, aggravated assault, and two counts of interference with law enforcement. Ashburn will be sentenced on May 28, 2019. These convictions are the result of four separate investigation by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Tanya Keaton pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine. Keaton will be sentenced on May 28, 2019. This case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Jack Gorby was sentenced to 44 months in the Kansas Department of Correction for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Gorby was also sentenced to 11 months imprisonment for aggravated child endangerment and theft in a separate case. The sentences will be served consecutively, for a total of 55 months incarceration. These cases were investigated by the Galena Police Department and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Dakota Boone Wittenmyer pleaded guilty to attempted murder in the second degree and kidnapping. Wittenmyer will be sentenced on June 11, 2019. This case was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Tiffany Lopp pleaded guilty to burglary. Lopp will be sentenced on June 12, 2019. This offense was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Deborah Williams pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine. Williams will be sentenced on June 14, 2019. This case results from a search warrant executed by deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office earlier this month.

Travis Degonia pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine. Degonia will be sentenced on June 14, 2019. This conviction is the result of a search warrant executed by deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s office in November 2018.

Joshua Whaley pleadedguilty to criminal threat resulting from a domestic incident in August 2018. Whaley will be sentenced on May 29, 2019. This offense was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

David Barber pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine and interference with law enforcement resulting from a police chase that initially started in Joplin, Missouri in February. Barber will be sentenced on June 24, 2019. This offense was investigated by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.

Tonya Lindsey pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine. Lindsey will be sentenced on June 24, 2019. This conviction is the result of a search warrant executed by officer with the Galena Police Department in December 2019.

Zachary Rantz pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine. Rantz will be sentenced on July 2, 2019. This conviction is the result of search warrant executed by officer with the Galena Police Department in December 2018.