Courts

Drug dealer pleads guilty just as trial was to begin

September 11, 2025

Prosecutor Beth Hand: “The amount of fentanyl possessed by Monroe is the most I have seen in my time here in Mason County,” LUDINGTON – A drug dealer pleaded guilty just as opening arguments of his jury trial were set to begin Wednesday, Sept. 10. Matthew Steven Monroe, 31, was charged with five counts including felonies possession with intent to…

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Jury trial for man accused of dealing drugs set for this week

September 8, 2025

LUDINGTON — A jury trial against Matthew Steven Monroe, 31, is scheduled for Wednesday through Friday, Sept. 10-12, in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court.  Monroe is charged with two felony counts of delivery/manufacture of cocaine, heroin or another narcotic, a felony count of delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine and misdemeanors of operating without insurance and unlawful license plate, according to court records. …

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51st Circuit Court sentences, published Sept. 8, 2025

September 8, 2025

LUDINGTON — The following were sentenced recently in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court: – Drake David Hannah, 24, pleaded guilty June 17 to controlled substance possession — cocaine, heroin or another narcotic and was sentenced Sept. 2 to 180 days in jail with credit for 170 days served; two years probation; and $598 in fines and costs. – Ted Robert…

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79th District Court arraignments, published Sept. 4, 2025

September 4, 2025

By Alan Neushwander, Contributing Writer LUDINGTON — The following were recently arraigned in Mason County’s 79th District Court: Felonies -Trayce Robert Tate, 21; second-offense fleeing and eluding police, third-offense operating a vehicle while under the influence of liquor, and malicious destruction of trees/shrubs/crops between $200 to $1000; arrested Aug. 28 by Mason County Sheriff’s Office; arraigned Aug. 29; preliminary hearing:…

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Dreamboat purchase leads to financial nightmare; Custer man receives delayed sentence

August 26, 2025

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor HART — A man who was conned out of $15,000 by another man offering to broker the purchase of his dreamboat has still not received all of his money back yet. Eric Charles Golembiewski, 43, of Custer pleaded guilty to larceny by conversion $1,000-$20,000 July 22, 2024. During a hearing Monday Aug. 25 in Oceana…

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