Jury trial date set for Loftis

Ponca City attorney Charles Scott Loftis appeared in Kay County District Court on Monday on an amended information during a formal arraignment.

He is charged with an amended felony count of conspiracy to bring contraband into a penal institution and a second felony count for conspiracy to bring contraband into a penal institution; distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, including possession with intent to distribute.

Loftis appeared as his own co-counsel during Monday’s hearing, and said none of his three attorneys were available to appear. He objected to the formal arraignment and refused to enter a plea.

District Attorney Mike Fisher of Pawhuska represented the state and Judge Louis A. Duel of Guthrie heard the case. Duel entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Loftis.

Loftis also made a motion to dismiss the case against him, claiming he should have been arraigned no later than Dec. 31. Fisher said the arraignment was scheduled within 30 days of the official bind-over, which was Jan. 9, 2015.

Motions in the case will be heard at 10 a.m. March 20 at a pretrial conference. A jury trial is set for 9 a.m. April 21.