KINGMAN — Judge Billy Sipe repeatedly asked a Kingman man if he was high during a Feb. 17 hearing at the Mohave County Law and Justice Center. He told the defendant that he didn’t know if he was “playing games” or under the influence, given some of his comments and aberrant demeanor.
Eddie Witzig, 43, asked if he could serve less time behind bars after he was repeatedly informed his proposed plea agreement dictates a mandatory 5-year prison term. Judge Sipe told Witzig the punishment is inflexible and firm.
“I’m sorry,” Witzig replied. “That’s a long time in prison though.”
“Not long enough,” Sipe said. The Judge said the sentence should be ten years or more, but that the plea deal crafted by lawyers handcuffed the Court with a 5-year prison limit.
Deputy Mohave County attorney Rod Albright said Witzig was arrested on Oct. 30, 2025 following a Mohave County Sheriff’s Office traffic stop on Highway 68. About 12-ounces each of methamphetamine and fentanyl was confiscated from his vehicle.
The plea agreement dismisses the fentanyl case and four charges in exchange for his conviction for transportation of dangerous drugs for sale.
“I didn’t intend none of that,” said Witzig, denying any case component involving sales. He subsequently relented when informed a stronger admission is necessary for the Court to accept the plea.
Judge Sipe said it was a lenient case resolution considering Witzig’s criminal history and the fact that the MAGNET narcotics task force had him under a microscope for suspected fentanyl trafficking since 2024. Judge Sipe expressed some reluctance, accepted and entered the plea agreement, and imposed the 5-year prison term.
