MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) Three Mitchell residents pleaded guilty this week in an attempted robbery case. Hayden Guzman, Washake Vaughn, and Jolene Vaughn, made their pleas on Tuesday after they were each charged with being accessories to a felony in an attempted robbery and burglary. The Mitchell Daily Republic reports that as part of a plea deal, they avoided more serious charges. They were each sentenced to five years in prison, which was suspended, two years of probation, and each will have to pay restitution. The incident happened in November when a group of people reportedly broke into a home on North Duff Street, pulled a knife and demanded valuables. They took off before the police responded but Guzman and the Vaughns were identified in surveillance video.
A former Mitchell man has had his prison sentence reduced after a hearing in Davison County Court. Michael Wermers was originally sentenced to 15 years for a violent, premeditated assault at the Corn Palace Inn Motel in 2022. According to court reports, he was convicted of aggravated assault and drug possession. At his hearing on Tuesday, the judge reduced Wermers’ sentence to 10 years. His attorney pointed out the progress he’s made in prison, which reportedly includes going through over 20 rehab programs and showing regret for his actions.