Wells County

[Obi-Wan]

What kind of impact will this have on anyone that he arrested or testified against? Wouldn't this put doubt in his credibility as an arresting officer or any of his testimony in criminal trials which could get some convictions overturned

 

[shorthairsrus]

This meth stuff is so bad. Either taint it with a death wish or give it away.

 

[Reprobait]

I don't understand how he wasn't charged with more. He was as much a part of those burglaries as the tweakers that did them. He was in some way running a crime family.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Maybe saving some charges just in case he beats the ones he got charged with? Just guessing.

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It is a sad deal for law enforcement. The majority are good honest people and once again a bad apple is going to spoil the rest or i should say make the rest look bad. Hats off to the good ones and keep up the good work.
Thank you kindly for all your hard work and dedication! ;:;bowdown :;:rockit

 

[Reprobait]

To good law enforcement people:. Don't cover up for the bad ones. Don't remain silent.

 

[Reprobait]

He was allowed to plead guilty to a couple of misdemeanors and will serve a whopping 30 days.

http://www.minotdailynews.com/news/local-news/2018/02/county-sheriff-changes-plea/

FESSENDEN – Johnny Zip Lawson, 42, former sheriff of Wells County, entered a change of plea during a telephonic appearance in Southeast District Court here Thursday afternoon.
Lawson, who was facing two felony and three misdemeanor charges since his arrest on May 30, 2017, pleaded guilty as part of a plea agreement. The agreement included the dismissal of two felonies and one misdemeanor, leaving the former sheriff to face sentencing for only the two remaining misdemeanors.
The two felony charges brought against Lawson were conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance-methamphetamine, a Class A felony, and bribery-official action, a Class C felony. Both charges stemmed from Lawson’s alleged involvement in illegal activities while serving as sheriff of Wells County. Additionally, Lawson was charged with three misdemeanor A counts – making false reports to law enforcement or other security officials, public servant refusing to perform duty and ingesting a controlled substance.
Judge Daniel Narum rejected a plea deal in late October in which Lawson would plead guilty to a single misdemeanor in exchange for having two other misdemeanors and the more serious felony charges dropped. Lawson reversed his intention to plead guilty at that time and the case continued.
As part of the October proposed agreement Lawson would testify against Alexander Lail of New Rockford. Lail is alleged to have provided Lawson and others with methamphetamine. A Bureau of Criminal Investigation affidavit contains several references of Lawson failing to investigate multiple burglaries in Wells County, burglaries alleged to have been committed by persons known to Lawson.
“I don’t believe this plea agreement serves justice,” Narum told the court during the October hearing.
The plea agreement to which Narum agreed to Thursday called for a 30-day sentence with no requirement that Lawson testify against anyone else involved in related cases. With credit for five days served at the time of his arrest, which occurred in Bismarck, Lawson would have to serve another 25 days to fulfill his sentence.
Kathleen Murray, Wells County state’s attorney, told the judge, “We do not object to this agreement.” Murray added that, if necessary, a subpoena could be issued to Lawson for the purpose of receiving testimony from him in the future.
Lawson’s attorney, Peter Welte of the Vogel Law Firm in Grand Forks, expressed disappointment at the consideration of any jail sentence imposed on his client. He cited concerns for Lawson’s safety should he be housed with other prisoners and suggested “home monitoring”.
Furthermore, Welte noted Lawson’s “lifetime of service as a law enforcement officer” and called “sentencing in this case beyond remarkable.” He requested that two to three hours would be needed for presentations during the sentencing phase of the case.
When Narum asked Lawson how long he had been in law enforcement, Lawson replied, “since 2007” and added, “I have no criminal history.”
Narum lifted a travel restriction that allowed Lawson to travel only within North Dakota, South Dakota and Montana. Lawson had been working in the oilfield in southwest North Dakota but, according to his attorney, lost that employment when he failed a clearance test conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
Lawson was facing the possibility of lengthy prison time had he been convicted of the most serious charges against him. The maximum sentence for a Class A felony is 20 years imprisonment. A Class C felony is punishable by up to five years in prison. Each of the three midemeanors carry the possibility of one year in jail.
At the end of Thursday’s court hearing Lawson told Judge Narum, “Thank you for your kindness.”
Narum scheduled sentencing for Lawson at 11 a.m. March 26 in Fessenden.

 

[fj40]

That's pathetic.

 

[guywhofishes]

beyond pathetic - grotesque

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Man talk about walking away with a hand slap.

 

[fj40]

You're right, guy. I didn't know how to spell grotesque.

Nothing worse that a dirty cop. How this clown got elected is beyond the pale.

 

[guywhofishes]

some folks predicted this hand slap in earlier posts - unreal

 

[Kentucky Windage]

They will let him plead this down to nothing and the public will never find out what went on.

Nailed it. They should have made an example out of this guy. I think I'm going to become cop so I can get away with anything.

 

[Reprobait]

This should have been handled by the state or at least another county. Months ago the Wells County States States Attorney was working with Lawson. How they are allowed to prosecute him? This guy was essentially part of a crime family by looking the other way on the break-ins and taking part in the drugs.

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This is the Wells county states attorny. I am sorry, but it looks like about $1000 dollars could buy her off.

 

[ItemB]

Yep this is a ridiculous sentencing, unless he talked and gave good information that will bring down other drug dealers and suppliers.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

The dumb ass States Attorney isn't making him testify against anyone else in the latest plea deal by the sounds of it. She said if she needs his testimony she will subpeona him. Well did she think he will maybe take the stand and plead the 5th? Man i swear we get the dumbest asses in Wells County. Worse part the taxpayers have to pay them good money and they don't do their job half the time.
Hope it changes down the road.

 

[espringers]

He can't plead the 5th after sentencing. And he can be forced to testify. No need to put that in a plea deal.

 

[SDMF]

This should have been handled by the state or at least another county. Months ago the Wells County States States Attorney was working with Lawson. How they are allowed to prosecute him? This guy was essentially part of a crime family by looking the other way on the break-ins and taking part in the drugs.

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This is the Wells county states attorny. I am sorry, but it looks like about $1000 dollars could buy her off.

$1000? More like a dozen day-old snicker-doodle gas station cookies or a couple moon-pies assuming they're inside their sell-by date.

The "Blue Shield" is a real thing apparently.

 

[fj40]

Doesn't sound like the cops protected him at all. Sound like a lazy states attorney and a wimp ass judge who should have never accepted the deal. Investigators I know in the area would have preferred him hung out to dry.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

He can't plead the 5th after sentencing. And he can be forced to testify. No need to put that in a plea deal.

How do you force someone to testify against someone if there isn't anything being held over them? They just won't answer simple as that. At least with a plea deal that states he must testify if he doesn't testify and answer the questions his pleas deal is null and void. That is what a States Attorney told us when my brother was murdered.

 

[espringers]

Subpoena. If he doesn't show, arrest. Once arrested, sit in jail on contempt until you answer the questions asked. If you change your story, the prior statement to the investigators might get in. In theory anyway...

That sucks about your brother!