PLATTSMOUTH A former Nehawka resident learned Monday morning that she would serve five years on probation for distributing marijuana in Cass County.

Shonnelle K. Poppleton, 44, appeared in Cass County District Court for sentencing on a Class IIA felony charge of distribution of a controlled substance-marijuana. Poppleton, who now lives in Bellevue, accepted a plea deal with prosecutors in May. The state agreed to dismiss a second drug charge in exchange for the guilty plea.

Cass County Sheriffs Office investigators learned last year that Poppleton had been attempting to sell marijuana to local residents. A confidential informant arranged to meet Poppleton at her former Cass County residence in October. She sold 1.06 grams of marijuana to the confidential informant during the meeting.

Deputy County Attorney Richard Fedde told the court he felt a term of one year in state prison was appropriate. He said Poppleton had told probation officials during a pre-sentence investigation meeting that she would likely continue to use marijuana if she was placed on probation.

Poppleton told the court she had been taking marijuana for medical reasons. She said she would find an alternative medicine that would help address her health issues. She also said she was willing to abide by all other terms of probation.

Judge Michael Smith told Poppleton he had prepared paperwork for either a probation sentence or prison term. He said her statements had convinced him to order probation instead of incarceration.

Smith said he would place Poppleton on 60 months of probation to give her time to work on rehabilitation and treatment. Poppleton will be required to complete a chemical dependency evaluation, psychiatric exam and psychology evaluation within 60 days. She will also be required to abstain from all drugs and alcohol and submit to random drug tests during the five-year probation period.

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Former local resident sentenced for distributing drugs - Fremont Tribune