Court accepts Lawson's plea

The criminal case against former Wells County sheriff, Johnny Zip Lawson, has been modified in a plea agreement that was accepted by Judge Daniel Narum in Wells County District Court on Feb. 22.

Lawson has entered a guilty plea on two misdemeanor charges of giving false reports to law enforcement and ingesting a controlled substance. The plea agreement will dismiss two

felony charges, conspiracy to deliver methamphetamine and bribery; and one misdemeanor charge, public servant refusing to perform his duties.

The recommended sentence is for Lawson to serve 30 days in jail, with credit for five days served, $500 in fines and fees, and no probation. Electronic monitoring rather than incarceration was recommended.

State’s Attorney Jeremy Ensrude said that he and Lawson’s defense attorney, Peter Welte, have discussed Mr. Lawson’s ability to serve jail time. Ensrude said, “It would be a logistical headache for the local jailer to keep him separated from other individuals. For the safety of all parties involved, I suggest electronic monitoring.”

Ensrude said that law enforcement and agents who put together the case, including Craig Zachmier, Special Agent of the ND Bureau of Investigation, are in agreement with this plea agreement.

Wells County State’s Attorney Kathleen Murray went on record in the courtroom to say that she is in agreement with the plea.

“If he is acknowledging that he has made false statements, we believe that will assist in other cases,” she said.

Judge Narum explained, “One significant difference today from the previous hearing is the transcript that is now filed. That sworn testimony undermines prosecution in a significant way, making it unlikely to get successful prosecution. ’Considering that fact, and the fact that we have a law enforcement officer with no criminal history whatsoever, considering the BCI and attorneys are in support of this plea agreement, I will adopt the agreement as set forth in the written document.”

The case will now move forward with sentencing that is scheduled for March 26 at 11 a.m. Judge Narum also agreed to Welte’s request to lift the travel restrictions on Lawson’s bail order.

“This will allow him to seek employment in another part of the country,” Welte said.