Court sentences Blake to probation in controlled substance case

On Monday, the Cheyenne County Court sentenced Leland Blake to intensive probation for 60 months for distribution of a controlled substance. As part of the decision, he must testify in a case against Larry Martinez.

In August Blake witnessed Martinez shoot and kill Mandy Kerschman, age 30 of Sidney, according to court documents. The incident took place at Blake's home. Kerschman was reportedly a friend of Blake.

Charges against Blake step from a WING Task Force investigation that culminated in his arrest. On June 29, 2012, WING officer Justin Loghry received a call from an anonymous resident who informed him that Blake was selling marijuana and prescription pain medication. The caller added that there was significant stop and go traffic at Blake's address.

Authorities investigated and set up an undercover purchase in Sidney's Wal-Mart parking lot. Assisting with the undercover buy was officer Brandi Brunz and Cheyenne County Deputy Sheriff Adam Hollingshead.

Brunz was assigned to make the undercover buy. Arranging to meet with Blake, she was provided $300. In a successful operation, she met Blake and purchased 10 Vicodin, as well as contact information to buy more, when needed.

As the transaction was being made, Deputy Hollingshead photographed the operation. The medication was then taken to the Sidney Police Department, where it was confirmed to be Vicodin.

The state's Drug Enforcement Laboratory then confirmed its properties.

After several more purchases, WING personnel arrested Blake for distribution of a controlled substance, as well as an imitation. They found Naproxen, a non-controlled substance, after some of the buys.

The terms of Blake's probation include attending support group meetings, wearing a monitoring bracelet on his ankle and time in jail, with 33 days credit for time served.