A Great Bend man on probation for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute saw his probation revoked on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in Barton County District Court.

District Court Judge Carey Hipp ordered Brent G. Bretz to serve his underlying sentence of nine years and nine months (117 months) in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections on Barton County case 2019 CR 106.

Bretz was arrested on drug charges on March 25, 2019, and originally sentenced on Oct. 11, 2019, on one count of possession of meth with intent to distribute – a level 2 drug felony. After waiving his rights to a preliminary hearing, a jury trial, and to appeal, Bretz entered a “no contest” plea and was granted probation.  

Wednesday’s hearing was Bretz’s second probation violation hearing. In March, he was found to be in violation of his probation. 

Barton County Attorney Levi Morris argued for the court to revoke his violation and impose the prison sentence but Bretz was given a second chance on probation to attend drug treatment. 

A new violation

Bretz was one of two people arrested on Sept. 26, 2020, when detectives and deputies from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at 1411 18th St. in Great Bend. 

“The warrant was executed as part of an ongoing methamphetamine distribution case,” Bellendir stated in a news release at the time. “The residence was secured without incident and two suspects were taken into custody. Brent Bretz, age 41, who lived at the residence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Also arrested at the scene was Michael S. Johnson, age 43, of rural Great Bend. Johnson was charged with possession of methamphetamine.” 

A new case was filed by the Barton County Attorney’s Office against Bretz but there was nothing on file from that arrest concerning Johnson.

At Wednesday’s court hearing, County Attorney Morris argued to the court that Bretz had violated his probation, that he had committed a new offense while on probation, and again asked the court to revoke his probation and send him to prison. After hearing the arguments of Bretz’s attorney, Shannon Crane, the court found that Bretz had violated his probation in several instances, that he had committed a new offense while on probation, and the Court revoked his probation and ordered him to serve his underlying sentence.