Two individuals with prior convictions in Barton County were back in court last week facing allegations they violated terms and conditions of their probation/community corrections. Calie Lundquist and Zach Dittrick were found to be in violation and were sentenced by District Judge Carey Hipp.
Barton County Attorney Levi Morris provided the following information on the cases.
Calie Lundquist cut off monitoring device
Lundquist appeared in court on Monday, March 27. She was originally sentenced on May 14, 2021, to 152 months (12 years and 8 months) in the Kansas Department of Corrections in Barton County cases 20 CR 477 and 21 CR 79.
While on corrections, Lundquist admitted to drug use on three occasions in December 2022. After the third drug use, Community Corrections sanctioned Lundquist. The sanction was 30 days house arrest with electronic monitoring starting January 3, 2023.
On January 21, Lundquist cut off the electronic monitoring device and went to Acme Scrap Yard with various items of stolen property, including brass valves stolen off oilfield equipment.
During the process, Lundquist signed a document stating that she was the owner of the property and that it wasn’t stolen. The State of Kansas, lacking evidence that Lundquist stole the items or specifically knew they were stolen, charged Lundquist with a the crime of Making False Information.
At the revocation hearing, the State of Kansas presented evidence of newer drug use, cutting off the electronic monitoring device, and evidence of Making False Information.
After a hearing on the matter and hearing the arguments of the attorneys, District Court Judge Carey Hipp found that Lundquist had committed new crimes, revoked Lundquist’s probation and ordered her to serve her 152-month sentence. Lundquist also asked the court to modify the sentence downward; the request was denied.
The State of Kansas was represented by Assistant Barton County Attorney Rita Sunderland. Lundquist was represented by Joe Shepack.
Zach Dittrick
Zach Dittrick was back in court on Wednesday, March 29. He was originally sentenced on June 14, 2019, to 36 months (three years) in the Kansas Department of Corrections in Barton County case 18 CR 402.
This allegation of violating probation was originally filed June 30, 2022, after Dittrick admitted to drug use on May 14 and failed to report on May 31 and June 20, 2022. For this alleged probation violation, District Court Judge Lisa Beran signed an arrest warrant and set bond at $20,000. Dittrick was not arrested until October 21, 2022, and posted bond two days latter. While out on that bond, Dittrick committed new crimes in Lane County. (Dittrick was one of three Great Bend arrested on Dec. 26, 2022, after a traffic stop in Dighton. Dittrick and a Lane County Sheriff’s Office sergeant received minor injuries when the sergeant attempted to detain him in handcuffs.)
At the revocation hearing, the State of Kansas presented evidence of the drug use, failing to report, and the new crimes.
After a hearing on the matter and hearing the arguments of the attorneys, District Court Judge Carey Hipp found that Dittrick had committed new crimes, revoked Dittrick’s probation and ordered him to serve his 36 month sentence.
The State of Kansas was represented by Assistant Barton County Attorney Rita Sunderland, Dittrick was represented by Audra Asher.
