Two defendants test positive for meth at court appearances

Two defendants, who appeared for hearings in the Antelope County District courtroom at Neligh last Wednesday, had bond revoked and were remanded to the custody of the county sheriff by the Honorable James Kube.

Pre-court urinalysis showed the presence of methamphetamine in both defendants. Patrick Carney of Norfolk, public defender, represented both men.

It was a repeat performance for Jeff J. Wilson, 42, of McCook, who was scheduled for sentencing on assault and disturbing the peace offenses, along with arraignment on a charge stemming from a positive test before a March hearing. Wilson claimed he had not consumed the drug since his last court appearance in Neligh.

“The only explanation I have is that I work with some people who ‘do what they do,’” he said. “The last time I used was the last time I was here,” adding, “I lied to your face last time.”

Before placing him in Sheriff Bob Moore’s custody, Kube told Wilson, “I have to rely on the testing, it’s usually extremely accurate.”

Sentencing for the Class 1 misdemeanor charge of third-degree assault and Class 3 misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace, both committed Jan. 27, in Clearwater where he was residing at the time and arraignment for a charge of possession of a controlled substance, meth, alleged March 27 at the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center in Neligh, are continued to Sept. 25, with two bonds of $10,000, 10% cash, both increased to $15,000, 10%.

He was convicted of the amended January charges June 4, when he appeared in front of Kube in the Madison County courtroom and he waived his right to a preliminary hearing on the March charge in Antelope County Court on June 5.

“You will be tested again,” the judge cautioned. “Don’t use.”

Matthew G. Cameron, 48, of Running Water, S.D., was scheduled for a pretrial hearing on a Class 4 felony charge of possession of meth, alleged May 5 near the Antelope/Knox county line on Highway 14. He had not been tested prior to previous court appearances. His hearing is continued to Sept. 25, with $25,000, 10% cash bond increased to $40,000, 10%. The judge reminded Cameron he would be tested prior to each court appearance and told him if he tested positive again, bond would likely be set so high he won’t be able to post it.

A jury trial remains on the docket for Oct. 15. Kube also sustained an oral request by Carney for Cameron to travel to Missouri for court appearances in a criminal case.

Jacob Boutwell, 41, of Oakdale faced Kube, without counsel, for resentencing after he admitted to probation violations last month. Kube had sentenced Boutwell to 18 months probation May 22, on a conviction of possession of meth, a Class 4 felony committed last October in Oakdale.

Kube extended Boutwell’s probation 90 days and ordered continuous alcohol monitoring for 90 days.

“If you come back in front of me again, I’m not going to have any choice, I will have to send you to prison,” the judge said.

Gregory R. Everett, 37, of Creighton appeared before Kube for arraignment on two counts, Count I, possession of a controlled substance, meth, a Class 4 felony, and Count II, possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction, both alleged Julys 16. Everett’s pre-court drug test was negative. He pleaded not guilty to both counts and is scheduled for pretrial hearing Sept. 25, with a jury trial set for Oct. 15. Bond posted July 29, in the amount of $10,000, 10% cash, is continued as well, with Kube giving permission for him to reside and work in Smith Center, Kansas. A waiver of extradition is on file.

A pretrial hearing and jury trial were both continued for Christofer N. Carstens, 21, of Oakdale who is accused of felony child abuse, alleged in May. Carney requested the continuance, stating he and the county attorney were communicating but were not ready for pretrial. Prosecutor Joe Abler did not object. He indicated Moore had informed both attorneys he had a “mountain of stuff.” After Carstens waived his right to a speedy trial, Kube continued pretrial to Oct. 30 and jury trial to Dec. 10. Bond in the amount of $500,000, 10% cash, was continued as well. Carstens was remanded to Moore’s custody.

Gustovo F. Flores faced Kube, without counsel, on a motion to allow application for an ignition interlock device. Flores had been convicted of third offense driving under the influence and sentenced by Judge Patrick Rogers to a 15-year revocation of his license in 2008. Kube said he wasn’t sure if ignition interlocks were available at that time and sustained the motion, allowing Flores to apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles for the device.

Jeremy T. Stevens, 28, last known to reside in Sioux Falls, South Dakota., failed to appear to show cause for nonpayment of $1,177 in fines and costs. Abler requested a bench warrant. Kube advised the prosecutor to include bond in the amount of $15,000, 10% cash, in his motion for the warrant, to cover the amount owed. A previous warrant was issued in April, after Stevens failed to appear for a revocation of probation hearing.

Christopher E. Shawn, 38, last known to reside in Wellington, Kansas, failed to appear for a revocation of probation hearing. Abler advised there is an active bench warrant for Shawn’s arrest. Shawn was sentenced to an 18-month term of probation in May for a July 2018 DUI. He had been under the supervision of Kansas probation officers and was listed as absconded, as of July 31.

Ronald E. Frazier, 47, of Neligh was granted continuance of his pretrial hearing on four counts alleged in March, until Sept. 25, with bond in the amount of $10,000, 10% cash, posted April 16 also continued, along with a no-contact order. He is charged with four counts, Count I, terroristic threats, a Class 3A felony; Count II, third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor; Count III, resisting arrest, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and intimidation by phone/electronic communication, a Class 3 misdemeanor. Carney said communication with Abler had occurred regarding a plea agreement and requested time to address a “couple of issues.”