PIERRE, (KCCR) — A Pierre business owner facing charges connected to a statewide sting of smoke shops allegedly selling illegal products has pleaded not guilty to those charges. Appearing before Sixth Circuit Judge Bobbi Rank 29 year-old Bristol Nielsen entered not guilty pleas to five charges, four of those being felonies. A Part II Habitual Offender information has also been filed alleging Nielsen is a habitual offender relating to a 2016 stolen vehicle conviction in Stanley County. The Part II information could lead to sentence enhancements and a longer sentence, if Nielsen is found guilty and admits to the information. Nielsen’s attorney Rob Konrad requested a bond modification in the case. Konrad requested Nielsen be allowed to enter his store to retrieve personal effects and do so during off business hours with no customers and locked doors. Assistant Attorney General Jessica LaMie was not opposed to the limited change and Rank agreed to allow it. A motions hearing has been set for mid-November.
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