Briscoe Changes Plea To Drug Possession Charge

Clifford Evan Briscoe of Poplar changed his plea to guilty for the charge of criminal possession of dangerous drugs during a hearing in district court on Tuesday, Feb. 23.

He had made not guilty pleas for the charge and for criminal possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, during his initial appearance on Jan. 26.

On Tuesday, Briscoe testified that on Jan. 14, law enforcement found a pipe with meth residue in a vehicle that was being used by Briscoe. The pipe was located in the middle console of the vehicle.

“I forgot all about it,” Briscoe said.

A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered by Judge David Cybulski. Maximum penalties for the charge are five years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both.

Briscoe also requested a reduction of bond. The amount was previously reduced from $50,000 to $10,000. Briscoe asked for a $1,000 bond on Tuesday. Defense attorney Sally Kay Hickok said that Briscoe has lived the past four years at the same residence in Poplar with his girlfriend and his girlfriend’s mother. Hickok noted that Briscoe wants to get a “jump start” in his job search.

Cybulski changed the bond amount to $500. He said that Briscoe should consider himself as being in house arrest and should only leave the residence to go back and forth for a job.