Sentences handed down in Antelope County court

The Honorable Donna Taylor sentenced six individuals during the Aug. 21 session of Antelope County Court in Neligh.

Jacob L. Boutwell, 41, of Oakdale appeared for a pretrial hearing on three charges. A plea agreement was reached with Joseph Abler, county prosecutor. In return for his guilty plea to a Class W misdemeanor count of driving under the influence of alcohol, second offense, charges of leaving the scene of an accident and driving during revocation/impound were dismissed. Taylor sentenced him to 90 days in the county jail, with credit given for 45 days previously served; a $500 fine; $382 costs and revoked his driver’s license for 18 months. She further ordered he stand committed to the jail until the fine and costs are paid. Boutwell was remanded to the custody of Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore. He was represented by Patrick Carney of Norfolk, public defender.

Christopher C. Larson, 25, of Tilden faced Taylor for sentencing on a reckless driving conviction. He was sentenced to a $500 fine and $105 costs for the Class 3 misdemeanor committed April 13. He was convicted after reaching a plea agreement, which resulted in the original DUI charge being amended to reckless driving. Larson was represented by Frederick Bartell of Norfolk.

Aaron D. Hallgren, 33, of Wayne was sentenced to an additional three months of probation after he admitted violation of probation, per terms of a plea agreement. Taylor waived additional probation fees. Hallgren was represented by Carney.

Carol M. Schleusener, 54, of Royal appeared for a pretrial hearing on a Class W misdemeanor count of DUI, +0.15. She changed her plea to guilty after reaching a plea agreement with Abler. In exchange for her guilty plea to a charge of DUI, committed May 31, Abler dropped enhancement conditions and recommended probation. Abler expressed concern for her high alcohol level, 0.201 at 4 p.m. the day of her arrest. Carney told the court that his client had successfully completed treatment at Valley Hope, had been sober for 81 days and was engaged in aftercare. He indicated the defendant had transportation concerns, with the family having only one unreliable vehicle. Taylor sentenced her to a $500 fine, nine months’ probation and $415 costs and fees. Terms of probation include attending two AA meetings per week; continued participation in treatment aftercare recommendations; continuous alcohol monitoring, 60 days forthwith, with an additional 60 days at the discretion of her probation officer; obtain a sponsor; and 60-day revocation of her drivers’ license, concurrent to Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles revocation. She was given credit for $175 paid for alcohol evaluation. Bond was exonerated with the balance held by the county applied to fine and fees. Balance of fine and fees is due 30 days prior to end of probation. She was represented by Carney.

Ashley L. Rose, 24, of Omaha faced Taylor on two counts, Count I, DUI, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor; and Count II, possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. Per terms of a plea agreement, she pleaded guilty to an amended count of reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor committed last December near Grove Lake. In addition, Abler dismissed Count II and withdrew a forfeiture of bond motion.

Taylor asked when she last used marijuana, with Rose replying two days previous. “I would assume then, if you were tested right now, it would be positive,” the judge said, adding that any positive tests would be violations of probation.

Rose was sentenced to a $500 fine, 12 months’ probation and $507 costs and fees, with $175 credit on fine for alcohol evaluation cost. Bond was exonerated, with $720 held by the court applied to fine and costs. Probation terms include a drug test at initial probation visit and one in 30 days; 90 days on the CAM program, 60 days immediately and 30 at the discretion of the probation officer; and attendance at two AA meetings per week. She was represented by Carney.

“I hope you are taking your situations seriously, especially if you are going to be a good mom,” Taylor told her.

Michael S. Sesker, 27, of Denver, Colo., was given permission earlier this month by Taylor to plead guilty by waiver to possession of one ounce or less of marijuana, first offense. He was fined $301 and $49 costs for the infraction committed July 18.

Two additional cases were resolved without court appearances. Kirk W. Charlot, 62, of Renton, Wash., pleaded guilty by waiver to possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction committed July 12, and was fined $100 and $49 costs; and Raymond F. Poli, 42, of Neligh, was fined $25 for each of two misdemeanor counts of allowing a dog to run at large June 3. Two counts of having no dog license were dropped.

Another two cases were removed from the court calendar, one case bound over to district court and the other to be refiled later.

Gregory R. Everett, 37, of Creighton appeared before Taylor for arraignment on a Class 4 felony count, possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, alleged July 16. Everett waived his right to a preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to Antelope District Court, where arraignment was set for Aug. 28. After holding a bond hearing, Taylor ordered bond posted July 29, in the amount of $10,000, 10% cash, continued, but lifted travel restrictions, provided the defendant sign a waiver of extradition. Carney was appointed as counsel July 22.

Rochelle A. Dixon, 73, of Clearwater faced Taylor for arraignment on three counts alleged July 8 near Clearwater, Count I, DUI, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor; Count II, driving left of center, an infraction; and Count III, speeding, 16-20 miles per hour over the limit, also an infraction. Dixon is represented by Bartell, who asked Taylor to allow Abler to dismiss the charges without prejudice, to be refiled after the defendant returns from an international trip. Abler had no objection. Taylor allowed the request, provided court costs incurred to date be paid. Bond in the amount of $1,500, 10% cash, posted July 9, was exonerated and a court appearance on the refiled charges was unofficially scheduled for Oct. 16.