Man weighing 900lb will be CUT OUT of his mobile home on judge's orders so he can attend a court hearing to face cocaine conspiracy charges
- Kenneth T. Hicks, 48, is scheduled to plead guilty in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia on Monday
- He is one of seven people charged in a cocaine conspiracy distribution case
- A judge last week approved an unusual transportation plan to ensure Hicks could make the hearing because he is confined to his bed
- It may involve cutting through a wall in his mobile home, bracing the structure and cutting down some trees so he can be removed
- The hearing will take place in the loading dock at the rear of the court
A man who weighs 900 pounds may have to be cut out of his Virginia trailer home so he can attend a court hearing to face cocaine conspiracy charges.
Kenneth T. Hicks, 48, is scheduled to plead guilty in U.S. District Court in Richmond on Monday to charges stemming from a cocaine conspiracy case involving seven people.
U.S. Magistrate Judge David Novak last week approved an unusual transportation plan to ensure Hicks could get to the court for his hearing given he is confined to a bed and is unable to dress himself.
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Kenneth T. Hicks, 48, is scheduled to plead guilty in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia on Monday to charges stemming from a cocaine conspiracy case involving seven people. Pictured above is his mobile home
Hicks is confined to a bed and is unable to dress himself, so the judge approved an unusual plan
Henrico firefighters are seen working near the home of Kenneth Hicks on Monday
The plan to get him to the court may involve cutting through a wall of the mobile home where he lives, bracing the structure and cutting down some trees to make room for a device that could hold his weight.
That will take place if authorities determine that Hicks, given his current weight, cannot be placed onto a gurney and wheeled down a ramp outside his home.
The judge approved the plan after Hicks had asked for help getting to the hearing in a way that protects his health, safety and dignity.
The hearing will take place in the loading dock at the rear of the court.
Hicks also asked that the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, first responders and others involved in the elaborate plan assess any medical issues he may have.
The plan to get him to the court may involve cutting through a wall of the mobile home where he lives, bracing the structure and cutting down some trees to make room for a device that could hold his weight, according to court documents
A Henrico Fire Department rescue truck leaves the home of Kenneth Hicks on Monday ahead of his scheduled court appearance for cocaine conspiracy charges
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He was charged as part of an alleged conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute more than a pound of cocaine from 2013 to 2017.
Three of the seven people charged have already pleaded guilty.
Various court documents related to the conspiracy case have been sealed or redacted.
Hicks has not been in custody since being charged and was allowed to make his initial court appearance via video link in March.
If Hicks pleads guilty on Monday he will be taken into custody and moved to a medical facility.
His hearing was scheduled to take place in the loading dock at the rear of the court (above)
