February 25, 2015 at 4:17 p.m.
Minocqua man charged with giving puppy pot brownie misses court appearance
Minocqua man charged with giving puppy pot brownie misses court appearance
By Jamie Taylor-jamie@rivernewsonline.com
Shelton K. Thornton made his initial appearance Oct. 13 on charges of possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, both class U misdemeanors, and giving poison to an animal, a U class forfeiture violation.
According to the police report attached to the criminal complaint, Minocqua Police received a call July 25 that Thornton had allowed a puppy to eat a pot-laced brownie and the animal was sick. Lt. Jason Benbenek responded to the scene and found the puppy to be very lethargic. It could barely pick up its head and could not stand, the report states. Thornton's brother said Shelton dropped the brownie on the floor and the puppy ate it before he could stop it.
The dog was taken to Northwoods Animal Hospital where it started gagging. The veterinarian recommended that it be taken to the 24-hour emergency animal hospital in Wausau where it could be monitored closely in case its condition worsened. After obtaining a urine sample from the puppy for drug testing, the animal was taken by its owner to Wausau. The puppy survived the incident.
According to the report, Thornton admitted that he dropped the pot-laced brownie and the dog ate it.
He also turned over a baggie of several burnt marijuana "joints." A search of Thornton's sleeping area resulted in the discovery of a glass pipe used to smoke marijuana which Thornton also admitted was his.
The case was referred to the district attorney's office and Thornton was sent a summons to appear in court Oct. 13. O'Melia set a $1,500 signature bond in the case and scheduled an adjourned initial appearance for Nov. 10.
Thornton did not make the Nov. 10 hearing, due to a snowstorm that day, but appeared on Dec. 8 to plead not guilty.
Thornton submitted a change of address to the court on that date listing a Milwaukee address.
At Tuesday's hearing, Thornton's appointed attorney Richard Shawl told O'Melia he has not been contacted by Thornton since the last hearing date. He had no explanation as to why his client did not appear in court. Shawl and Assistant District Attorney Jodi Bednar-Clemens indicated a plea agreement had been reached and the case may have been resolved Tuesday if Thornton had been in court.
O'Melia authorized a warrant for his arrest, but said he would allow a voluntary appearance if Thornton contacts his attorney to schedule one.
"I wish it were as easy to prevent as it were to fix," Shawl said, refering to his client's non-appearance.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at jtaylor@lakelandtimes.com.
Comments:
You must login to comment.