Wednesday afternoon a Barton County jury returned six guilty verdicts against Michael Clark for possession with intent to distribute over 100 grams of methamphetamine, conspiracy to commit possession with intent to distribute over 100 grams of methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and three counts of failing to have a Drug Tax Stamp. 

Barton County Attorney Levi Morris reports five of seven charges were from Dec. 20, 2022, when the Barton County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the KBI and the Great Bend Police Department, executed a search warrant and discovered what was initially believed to be around 12 pounds of meth. Subsequent KBI lab testing and other intelligence revealed that 7 pounds were non-narcotics that were purchased with the belief it was methamphetamine.

Jury selection began Monday with opening statements and evidence that afternoon. The State of Kansas rested Wednesday morning and in the afternoon the jury heard closing arguments. The jury deliberated for about an hour before returning the six guilty verdicts and one acquittal. 

Following the verdict, Morris asked the Court to modify Clark’s bond and hold him in jail pending sentencing. The defendant was on an Own-Recognizance (OR) bond following the refiling of the charges in 2023. After a brief discussion, District Court Judge Steve Johnson remanded Clark into custody and set bond at $300,000.

The primary conviction in this case carries a possible prison sentence of 138 months to 204 months (11 and a half  to. 17 years). The State of Kansas believes Clark’s criminal history score will be “C” which gives him a presumed prison sentence of 178 months (14 years and 10 months). The Barton County case number is 23-CR-296

The State of Kansas was represented by Barton County Attorney Morris and Assistant County Attorney Rita Sunderland. The defendant was represented by Donald Anderson II and Audra Asher.