Riley County judge reduces fentanyl suspect's bond, scheduled hearings for others

Their lawyers each filed motions to reduce their client’s $500,000 bonds.

Malcolm denied modification of Ince’s bond, and denied an amendment to Reeves’ bond.

Reeves’ attorney, Bobby Hiebert, tried to justify a reduced bond to $50,000 for Reeves. Malcolm denied the request.

Malcolm did, however, recognize the differences in the case for Daron Island-Jones, 21, of Manhattan, whom police arrested for distributing fentanyl. While Ince and Reeves were arrested for distribution causing death, Island-Jones’ transaction caused great bodily harm to a coworker.

Hiebert, who represented Island-Jones as well, argued for a reduced sentence. He said it was a “I know a guy who knows a guy” situation and regarded the incident as a mistake.

“The parties didn’t know they were getting laced pills,” Hiebert said.

The judge decided to reduce Island-Jones’ bond to $200,000.

“If you’re going to run in the pack, you share in the results,” Malcolm said. “If you’re distributing illegal drugs and they happen to be laced with a killer drug, then woe be to you. But this case is different than Mr. Ince’s and Mr. Reeves.”