Sentencing delayed in Humboldt opioid deal

FALLS CITY -  A plea deal with the Richardson County Attorney’s Office is giving a Humboldt woman more time to avoid a prison sentence after what the sheriff's office described as a controlled buy of Oxycodone.

Twila Taiclet, 48, was late for her scheduled sentencing hearing Tuesday. When her case was called, her attorney Steven Mercure explained that Taiclet had not arranged for completion of a presentence investigation. He asked for a continuance.

Deputy Richardson County Attorney Samantha Scheitel said the prosecution would normally  object to a continuance, but said the plea agreement includes a joint recommendation of probation. She said since probation would not be ordered without the presentence investigation, she did not object to the continuance.

Judge Julie Smith: “As her attorney eluded to, if we were to proceed to sentencing today without that complete, I would be sending Ms. Taiclet to prison, so I have only one other idea, that I’m considering. If I grant the motion to continue, I intend to revoke Ms. Taiclet’s bond and she’ll go to jail and probation can complete the presentence investigation while she is in jail.”

Taiclet had been charged with delivery after an informant bought Oxycodone pills in controlled buys  in October of 2020. In the plea agreement, allegations of proximity to a school or playground were dropped.

Taiclet told the judge she thought state probation would call her to arrange the presentence investigation.

Smith: “Ms. Taiclet, you’re charged with a class 2A felony. That’s a very serious charge. You are the person who would be going to prison if the court imposes a prison sentence, so waiting around for someone to call you is not a good idea.

Smith: "I already granted you a continuance of six weeks. If the prosecutor would have objected today to the motion to continue, I would have denied your motion and proceeded to sentencing and you would be looking at a prison sentence. Because the parties are jointly recommending probation, I am going to give you one more chance to complete the presentence investigation and really you’re not going to have much choice because you are going to be in jail.”

In an arrest affidavit, investigators say an informant paid $40 for five Oxycodone pills on Oct. 4 and paid $40 for four pills on Oct. 26.

A new date of Oct. 12 has been scheduled for sentencing