Several Receive Bail Reductions

Casee Jo Lepper and Weldon Drew each received bail reductions during district court hearings on Wednesday, Oct. 13.

Lepper is facing the charges of criminal possession of dangerous drugs with intent to distribute and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

Lepper said she had tried to get a public defender two or three times without success.

District judge David J. Cybulski said the state public defender is suffering with staff shortages.

“It’s burdensome but not a surprise,” Cybulski said. He rescheduled her entry of plea hearing for Tuesday, Oct. 26.

Lepper asked if she could request a reduction from the $100,000 set bond.

“I feel like I’m ready to be accountable for my actions,” she said. “This has opened my eyes.”

She added that she has lived in Wolf Point since she was a young child.

Roosevelt County Attorney Frank Piocos argued that there are 340 pages of discovery and more than 1,000 text messages of Lepper selling drugs. He said such actions are a “poison in our community.”

Cybulski reduced the bond to $10,000 and ordered Lepper to wear a monitoring device and be tested.

“I’m taking this very seriously,” she said. Drew made a not guilty plea to the charge of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs by accountability, a felony.

His omnibus hearing was set for Nov. 10, and the trial was scheduled for Dec. 16.

Attorney Christopher White requested a bail reduction from the $100,000 total for Drew.

White said Drew has lived in Wolf Point since the seventh grade and resides with family members.

Piocos argued that fetanyl is not only a dangerous drug but it’s a deadly drug. He feels that Drew is an untreated addict.

Cybulski reduced the bail amount to $10,000 and required Drew to wear a drug patch.

Cybulski signed an order Thursday, Oct. 14, reducing the bail for Jessica Smith to $10,000 and required Smith to wear a drug patch. Smith has not yet entered a plea.