Man will face Oregon charges after serving Utah sentence

By Alice Bailey

February 20, 2009 | LOGAN -- A guilty plea in 1st District Court was slightly delayed when the prosecution recognized the defendant was wanted by the state of Oregon.

Prior to the pretrial conference, the prosecution and the defense had made a deal to drop the charge of possession of marijuana against Charles Bertoch, 36, if he would agree to plead guilty to the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bertoch was in the process of pleading guilty to the possession charge when the prosecution noticed he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Oregon, on charges of assault.

Court proceedings were momentarily paused while the prosecution and the defense discussed the deal in the courtroom.

The deal was ultimately upheld and Bertoch was sentenced to 10 days in Cache County Jail, and fined $25,000 on the charge of possession of drug paraphernalia. After Bertoch finishes his sentence he will be extradited to Oregon to face charges there.

Bertoch's father was in the courtroom and was recognized by the judge.

NW
KS