LARNED — On Wednesday, Mitchel D. Burkes, 28, of Great Bend, appeared in Pawnee County District Court for sentencing on convictions of felony criminal use of explosives and possession of methamphetamine.

Following statements of the parties, District Judge Bruce Gatterman found the possession of methamphetamine to be the primary offense and sentenced Burkes to 18 months’ community corrections with a 13-month underlying prison sentence. The defendant was also ordered to successfully complete drug treatment as a condition of probation.

The charges stem from a traffic stop by the Kansas Highway Patrol west of Larned during the afternoon of Sept. 8, 2009. According to the Pawnee County Attorney’s Office, the trooper observed a homemade explosive device on the seat of the defendant’s vehicle as he approached. The device was later detonated by trained officials with the Kansas Highway Patrol. After the defendant’s arrest, drugs and paraphernalia were discovered in his vehicle.