Fairbury Woman Facing Felony Drug Charge Requests New Attorney

A Fairbury woman who pleaded not guilty to drug possession also asked the judge for a new attorney. That request was denied. Heather V. Jones, age 42, of Fairbury, was arraigned in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, November 7, 2024. David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge. Jones is charged with possession of methamphetamine, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, nine to 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction that carries a $100 fine.On May 21, 2024, at approximately 6:33 a.m., deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office executed a search warrant at a residence in Fairbury. Located within the residence were Heather Jones and another individual, Nathan D. Imes, age 44.Both Jones and Imes were handcuffed detained as the search was conducted. According to the arrest affidavit, a container was located under a table next to a mattress, “Inside the container located under the table were several clear plastic baggies. A working blue digital scale was also found. A white crystalline substance was observed on the scale lid, which had a presumptive positive for the presence of methamphetamine. A glass bong located on the table in plain view also tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.” Public Defender Scott Gropp was assigned to represent Jones. However, the morning that arraignment was scheduled, Gropp obtained a letter from his client that had been filed with the District Court, requesting new counsel. The letter stated, in part, “I feel that Scott Gropp does not have my best interest in mind.” Judge Bargen had not seen the letter prior to the hearing. After reading the letter, he advised the defendant that, if she did not want Gropp to continue to represent her, she would either have to represent herself or hire a new attorney at her own expense, “If you rely on district court, the public defender is what you get.” Jones' co-defendant, Imes, was sentenced last week in county court.He was originally facing the same charges but, in accordance with a plea agreement, Imes pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted possession, which is a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Imes was presented by attorney Gregory Kratz. At sentencing, Imes also said he was unhappy with his representation. “I wanted a different attorney,” Imes told the court. “There is a lot of stuff that doesn't make sense to me.”Linda Bauer, the presiding judge, sentenced Imes to 60 days in jail, with credit for 22 days time served.

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