By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
The Honorable Judge Lynne Nelson presided over the Tucker County circuit court recently to oversee two criminal cases. First on the docket was the sentencing of Jasper Snyder, charged with one count of entering without breaking, two counts of unlawful taking of a vehicle, and one count of obtaining goods by false pretense. These crimes were committed against the Tucker County Animal Shelter where Snyder was previously employed.
Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Ray LaMora requested the sentence of one to ten years be suspended for completion of the Anthony Center Program for youthful offenders, along with full restitution to the Tucker County Animal Shelter. Judge Nelson decided to sentence Snyder to the one to ten year sentence but to be served on probation versus in an institution. Snyder will be required to secure employment within 30 days as a term to his probation, which will ensure he begins repayment to the shelter. The probation is set to last three years.
Also on the docket was Steven Swiger, who has been indicted since fall of 2017. Swiger was charged with one count of fleeing from an officer with reckless indifference, one count for driving on a revoked license for a prior DUI, one count of reckless driving, and one count of receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle. In May of 2017, a vehicle was noticed to be speeding and a routine traffic stop was attempted.
The vehicle proceeded to run a stop light and failed to stop for the officer despite attempts. A high speed chase pursued with speeds reaching over 100 m.p.h. before the driver wrecked the vehicle and fled on foot. He was apprehended by officers.
Swiger was scheduled for court regarding these charges from nearly three years ago, however he failed to attend, which is not the first time. LaMora requested Judge Nelson put out a capias warrant (a writ ordering the arrest of a named person) for Swiger.
The Honorable Judge James Courrier was also set for a day of hearings on Thursday, January 16, but unfortunately had to reschedule. That docket will be heard on Wednesday, January 22.