Woman pleads guilty to two charges in weapons, drug case
Published 2:15 pm Monday, May 6, 2013
One of two suspects charged for illegal gun possession and drug possession after a February traffic stop accepted a plea deal Friday in Mower County Court.
Bonnie Lee Sutton, 31, of Austin, pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous weapon in a courthouse and fifth-degree drug possession, both felonies. Two other felony charges for felon in possession of a firearm and felon in possession of a stun gun were dismissed.
An officer stopped Michael Krauss, 42, of Austin, on Highway 218 south of Austin on Feb. 15. Sutton, according to the court complaint, was the passenger.
Krauss reportedly drove 10 mph over the speed limit. The officer discovered Krauss had neither a Minnesota driver’s license nor proof of insurance. The officer also smelled marijuana in the car, according to the Mower County Court complaint, and found 80 grams of it in the glove compartment. The officer also found a 9mm pistol and ammunition.
The officer arrested both Krauss and Sutton and had the car towed. Krauss previously pleaded not guilty to his charges: felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of a stun gun and fifth-degree drug possession.
An officer later removed a knife from Sutton’s purse as she was leaving Mower County Court, according to her court complaint.
Sutton will be sentenced on Aug. 15.