Three of four appear in court on meth charges

Three men pleaded not guilty to methamphetamine-related charges Monday morning in state District Court, and one did not show up for his arraignment.

Daniel Friede Jr. is charged with selling two grams of meth 1,000 feet away from Box Elder School in May 2013. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs on or near school property, a felony.

Gerold K. Parker is charged with dropping a small bag of meth while he was paying for his items at Jitterbugs in November 2014. He pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of dangerous drugs, a felony. Public defender Jesse Fries asked the court to modify Parker's conditions so he would be allowed to enter Northern Winz Casino where Parker works.

Dustin James Welch is charged with selling half a gram of meth while driving around with an informant posing as a buyer in April 2014. He pleaded not guilty to criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, a felony.

All three defendants, represented by Fries, were ordered to report to Hill County Detention Center by 4 p.m. Monday to be booked on the charges and released.

Mark Sutherland is charged with selling two bindles - folded paper bundles - of meth to an informant in May 2014. He did not show up to answer the charge of criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, a felony. Deputy Hill County Attorney Ryan Mickelson asked that a warrant be issued.

District Judge Dan Boucher ordered a warrant be issued for Sutherland's arrest.