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Former Box Butte County Public Defender Jon Worthman has been found guilty on a felony drug charge following his January, 2020 arrest.
The 53-year-old was arrested following an investigation conducted by the WING Drug Task Force where he reportedly purchased approximately one ounce of cocaine from a CI during a controlled buy. He was arrested after the purchased narcotics were found inside his vehicle.
Investigators say in a subsequent interview, Worthman said he believed he would be purchasing at least two eight-balls of cocaine, admitted to receiving cocaine in the past in exchange for legal services, and using the drug himself.
A bench trial in the case was held in September, 2020. District Judge Richard Birch took the matter under advisement, and filed his ruling on January 15th.
In the ruling, Birch states that Worthman possessed cocaine knowingly and intentionally, knew the weight; and possessed it with the intent to manufacture, distribute, deliver or dispense.
Worthman was found guilty of a Class 1D Felony count of: Possession of a Controlled Substance (10 to 28 grams) with Intent to Distribute. Under state statute, that carries a mandatory minimum of three years in prison, with a maximum of 50 years in prison.
A sentencing date has been set for March 26, 2021 at 11:30 a.m.
