John Chiv: Second time in a three co-defendant criminal case, Gregory Kreis' client first to take a plea deal

Apr 12, 2025

Second time in a three co-defendant criminal case, Gregory Kreis' client first to take a plea deal

(Photo: John Chiv)

Dauwin Poe, Joseph Lenhart and Cotc Lincoln each have several cases. The one arrest that all three had in common is for an alleged home invasion robbery.

Poe is represented by Ms. Andrea Sullivan; Lenhart by Ms. Rebecca Linkous and Lincoln by Mr. Gregory Kreis. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees was the prosecutor for the preliminary hearings and Lincoln's plea.

The day of the preliminary hearing, Lincoln resolved his cases with a plea. Sentencing for Lincoln is on 5/13.

This is the second Kreis case with three co-defendants where Kreis' client was the first to take a plea. I just happened to be in court for that other case, twice, but it not a case I am following. So far, Retired Visiting Judge Ksenia Tsenin has been specially assigned to criminal cases in which Kreis is an attorney.

I am not going to list all the other cases and which case also co-defendant again. Each defendant has multiple cases. Lenhart has 13 open cases from 2019 to 2025, I am not listing the outcome or following all these cases. The

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I have provided court minutes from the preliminary hearing for Poe held on 4/9 and 4/10. Lenhart was co-defendant in one case. Court minutes have witnesses and details.

4/9/25: CR2500334C Dauwin Poe, held to answer after preliminary hearing. Arraignment on information on 4/23. Poe CR2500378 preliminary hearing continued to 4/24/25 by defense.

4/10/25: Poe CR2500145B held to answer to some charges, People's request to add additional charges and PC 12022.53 (d) are denied, at this time by Retired Visiting Judge Ksenia Tsenin. Arraignment on information 4/23. Poe CR2500132B held to answer. Arraignment on information on 4/23.

Poe and Lenhart need to wake up and face reality and take a plea. I wrote very early on in my coverage of these three that pleas were already being negotiated by the two "veteran" suspects. Poe is young. He has been in the "hole" being disciplined and still has a chance to turn his life around. Poe has a supportive family who has been there at every hearing. This wanna be bad boy hanging out with hardened criminals choice is what got him in this situation.

4/23/25: Poe had 4 cases on calendar. CR2500334C and CR2500145B are listed in e court as matter off calendar. Minute order on that day explains more and states that those two cases havebeen merged into one of Poe's other cases and he was ordered released only in two of his four cases.

In CR2500132B arraignment on information and confirmation of counsel was continued to 4/24, then to 4/25. Mr. Paul Gallegos agreed to accept appointment and take over representing Poe from Ms. Sullivan. In CR2500378, preliminary hearing was continued for possible resolution to 4/25 for setting of prelim and confirmation of counsel.

4/25: In CR2500132B, Ms. Sullivan relieved; Paul Gallegos appointed; trial setting on 5/14. In CR2500378, setting of preliminary hearing continued to 5/14.

5/13/25: Sentencing for Lincoln with Judge Ksenia Tsenin for continued by defense to 6/23; just received probation report. Motion granted over People's objection.

5/14/25: All three cases for Poe continued to 6/18. Retired Visiting Judge Ksenia Tsenin recused herself. CR2500132B trial setting, CR2500378 setting of preliminary hearing; CR2400426 motion to terminate diversion.

6/18/25: Poe had three cases on calendar. Trial setting in CR2500132B; setting of preliminary hearing in CR2500378; motion to terminate diversion in CR2400426. All three cases continued by stipulation to 6/25.

6/23/25: In CR2500744B pre trial, in CRCR2500334B and CR2500145A sentencing continued by defense to 7/29 for possible mental health diversion. Deputy DA Rees objected but Retired Visiting Judge Ksenia Tsenin granted Kreis' request.

6/25/25: In CR2500132B trial setting, in CR2500378 setting of prelim and in CR2400426 motion to terminate diversion continued by stipulation to 7/11.

7/11/25: CR2500132B Dauwin Poe Cortez Jr

Trial Setting continued to 7/31

CR2500378 setting of prelim continued to 7/31

CR2400426 motion to terminate diversion vacated. 7/31 final diversion review date.

7/29/25: Visiting Judge Ksenia Tsenin granted defense request to continue Lincoln's sentencing for possible mental health diversion over DA's objection.

7/31/25: Dauwin Poe Cortez Jr's three cases were continued again. CR2500132B, trial setting continued stipulation to 9/3 and is trailing CR2500378. Preliminary hearing for CR2500378 scheduled for 9/3. CR2400426 is also trailing CR2500378 and diversion review hearing is scheduled in that case.

8/1/25: In CR2500744B, pre trial continued to 8/20 by Visiting Judge Ksenia Tsenin who denied motion by Lincoln's attorney, Gregory Kreis. Based on Dr. Lamer's and Probation recommendations, Judge Tsenin orders Lincoln complete dual diagnosis program in Hoopa. Sentencing in CR2500334B and CR2500145A continued to 8/20 scheduled before Judge Tsenin.

8/20/25: In CR2500334B +CR2500145A, Lincoln's sentencing continued by Judge Tsenin to 8/21; argument by attorneys regarding credits and Lincoln waiving credits. Deputy DA,Roger Rees requests waiver of credits; Kreis wants them split between both felony cases. Pre trial in CR2500744B continued to 8/21.

8/21/25: In CR2500334B +CR2500145A, Lincoln was sentenced, execution of sentence suspended by Retired Visiting Judge Tsenin and 5 years probation was granted. CR2500744B was dismissed by the DA; Lincoln ordered release on this case.