Mattern

Joni Theresa Mattern, 33, made an appearance at a preliminary probable cause hearing and arraignment on felony charges in Northeast Judicial District Court in Rugby on Wednesday. Judge John C. McClintock Jr. presided over the hearing.

Mattern entered a “not guilty” plea on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (methamphetamine), a class AA felony; possession of drug paraphernalia, child endangerment and maintaining a dwelling for persons illegally using controlled substances, all class C felonies; theft of property, a class B misdemeanor; and ingesting a controlled substance, a class A misdemeanor.

Both State’s Attorney Galen Mack and defense attorney Justin Vinje questioned N.D. Bureau of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Craig Zachmeier on the specifics of the case during the hearing.

A search of Mattern’s home conducted by three Rugby police officers, one Border Patrol officer and two BCI agents, including Zachmeier, on March 5 revealed large quantities of methamphetamine, scales and smoking devices on the premises, which was near a daycare and a school.

Class AA felonies are punishable by a maximum penalty of life imprisonment without parole. Class C felonies are punishable by up to five years imprisonment, a fine of $10,000 or both. Class B misdemeanors are punishable by up to 30 days imprisonment, a fine of $1,500 or both.

Class A misdemeanors are punishable by a penalty of up to a year in prison, a fine of $3,000 or both.

A next hearing date has not been set.

The rest of this week’s court report will be included in the June 14 issue of the Tribune.

– Tribune

Staff Report