By MIKE CORN

mcorn@dailynews.net

It was just a four-minute hearing, a copy of the complaint against Rooks County Sheriff Randy Axelson presented to him by Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees at the outset.

That presentation Monday in Ellis County District Court to both Axelson and his attorney, Kurt Kerns, Wichita, prompted only a few questions from District Judge Ed Bouker.

Axelson, wearing a blue shirt and tie and khaki pants -- in stark contrast to the orange jail coveralls and handcuffs he was wearing at an early January bond hearing -- answered each one of Bouker's questions, agreeing he had received a copy of the complaint and would waive a formal reading. A dozen of Axelson's friends and family quietly watched the hearing.

But when it came time to schedule a preliminary hearing on the nine counts of felony methamphetamine distribution, Drees said they weren't at that stage.

Instead, he said he had talked with Kansas Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Mark Kendrick, the lead investigator in the case, and learned only about half of the reports from the case had been turned over to Drees.

"Kendrick indicated he could have the remainder of the reports to the state about March 1," Drees said.

Kerns, who spent part of the morning poring over the documents in the hallway outside the courtroom, agreed it would be best to delay setting a hearing until all of the reports are filed.

Axelson, 43, was arrested Dec. 30 following a week-long investigation by the KBI. Drees was asked by Rooks County Attorney Ed Hageman to serve as a special prosecutor in the case.

Drees also is serving as special prosecutor in a case against Kara Horn, a 24-year-old Stockton woman named as the person who allegedly received methamphetamine from Axelson. She also faces a series of drug-related charges and is expected to appear next week in Rooks County District Court.

Axelson faces counts of distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of school property, Stockton High School, a charge that carries a stiffer penalty. He faces four other counts of distribution of meth charges.

He was released on $45,000 bond soon after he appeared in Ellis County District Court on Jan. 3.

Horn is free on bond on four felony charges and two misdemeanor charges, all of them filed Dec. 27 in Rooks County District Court, two days after officers executed a search warrant at her residence. She faces felony counts of distribution of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of school property, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and aggravated endangering of a child. She also is charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and interference with law enforcement.