A defendant who was on trial on seven charges changed his plea to guilty on all counts and has been handed several prison terms to run concurrent with one another.
CecilioYBarajas, 54, was on the second day of his trial when, as the result of a plea bargain, withdrew his previous pleas and entered guilty pleas.
The state and Barajas waived a pre-sentence investigation and District Judge John Canavan found him guilty as charged.
On May 11, 2023, Barajas was charged in Lincoln County District Court with four counts of cruelty to animals, trafficking illegal drugs, possession of Controlled Dangerous Substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Judge Canavan sentenced him serve to serve five years in the Department of Corrections on each of the four charges of cruelty to animals, along with a $100 fine, a $100 VCA and court costs on each of the counts as well.
The judge handed him a 10-year sentence in the Department of Corrections on the trafficking illegal drugs count with all but the first five years suspended, a $10,000 fine with all suspended except $100, a $100 VCA and court costs.
On the possession of CDScharge,hewasgiven one year in the county jail, a $100 fine and $100 VCAand court costs; and on unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia he was sentenced to one year in the county jail, $100 fine and $100 VCA and court costs.
Judge Canavan ordered the sentences to run concurrent with each other. He is to pay 991 fees and he was advised of mandatory registering in the Methamphetamine Registry. Barajas was placed on supervised probation with the Department of Corrections, is to report to the Probation Office within 10 days of his release and is to report to the Court Clerk’s Office within 180 days of his release.
Assistant District Attorney Rachel Thomas represented the state and Shelley Levisay was the attorney for Barajas.