Woman to taste Thanksgiving in jail

The Honorable Donna Taylor had a busy day in court last Wednesday, when she passed sentence on 11 individuals in the Antelope County courtroom at Neligh.

Taylor sent Twila Guggenmos, 59, of Oakdale to the Antelope County Jail to serve a 10-day sentence for a conviction of reckless driving, with credit given for one day previously served. The judge further ordered the $135 bond fee held by the county be applied to $141.61 costs, and the balance be paid prior to release, or sit out an extra day in jail. Guggenmos' responded, "I'll miss Thanksgiving." On her behalf, public defender Patrick Carney of Norfolk told the judge, while Guggenmos had some criminal history, "quite a bit of time had passed" since she had any significant charges. He said she had no money to pay a fine and requested a seven-day jail sentence. Taylor said she was aware of an "extensive DUI history" and listed several other previous convictions. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case, a call was received at the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center on April 22, from personnel at Antelope Memorial Hospital, alleging the defendant was intoxicated, refused to wait for a ride and left the hospital driving a vehicle. She was subsequently interviewed and allegedly failed field sobriety tests at her residence. A driving under the influence charge was reduced per terms of a plea agreement.

Shawn M. Stenka, 36, of Ewing faced Taylor for sentencing on a charge of DUI, a Class W misdemeanor committed July 11 in Neligh. Stenka told the judge in eight days he would note two months sober, that he attends at least three AA meetings per week as well as counseling. He was sentenced to a 12-month term of probation, including two days in jail commencing Nov. 22, with credit for one day previously served; a $500 fine; fees and costs totaling $677; revocation of his driver's license for one year; and 90 days on the continuous alcohol monitor program, 30 days immediately, with the remaining 60 days at the discretion of his probation officer.

Rochelle A. Dixon, 73, of Clearwater appeared for sentencing on three counts committed July 8, Count I, reckless driving, reduced from DUI, pursuant to a plea agreement; Count II, driving left of center; and Count III, speeding, 16-20 miles per hour over the limit. Her attorney, Frederick Bartell of Norfolk told the judge his client had "zero criminal history," had completed a MADD panel and attended an AA meeting. He suggested she was still dealing with the loss of her husband two years previously. In response to a question from the judge, Dixon said she intended to seek grief counseling. "I have really learned my lesson through all this, I am so sorry," she said. Taylor ordered fines of $500, $25, and $125, respectively, and $50 costs.

Robby J. Robinson, 34, of Norfolk was sentenced to a $250 fine and $50 costs on a conviction of driving under suspension, committed Aug. 31 near Oakdale.

Marcos V. Dos Santos Spohr, 31, of Bartlett appeared with his attorney, Ron Temple of Norfolk, to be sentenced on a count of reckless driving committed June 9. Taylor fined Spohr $500 and $105 costs for the count that was reduced from DUI as part of a plea agreement.

Alisa S. Ganz, 28, of Norfolk faced Taylor, accompanied by her attorney, Brad Montag of Norfolk, for pretrial hearing on two infraction counts, possession of marijuana, less than one ounce, first offense, and possession of drug paraphernalia committed Aug. 31. A plea agreement was reached, with Abler dismissing Count I and Ganz pleading guilty to Count II. Taylor ordered her to pay a $100 fine and $50 costs.

A defendant, who had twice been granted continuances in order to retain an attorney, again faced Taylor without counsel. Thomas R. Miller, 50, of Petersburg, appeared for further arraignment on three counts committed Sept. 18, Count I, no proof of financial responsibility; Count II, no proof of ownership; and Count III, no valid registration. A conference with Abler resulted in a plea agreement, under which the attorney dismissed Count I and Miller pleaded no contest to counts II and III. Miller told the judge he no longer owned the vehicle and the one he currently drives is insured. Taylor fined him $50 on Count II and $25 on Count III along with $50 costs.

Andrew L. Dredge, 33, of Neligh, accompanied by his court-appointed attorney, Melissa Wentling of Norfolk, faced Taylor for pretrial hearing on a misdemeanor count of having no insurance. Per terms of a plea agreement, Dredge changed his plea to guilty and Abler recommended a fine only. When Taylor asked if he could pay a fine that day, Dredge said no, he lost his job and was "pretty much homeless," but had found work. Wentling said he had medical clearance to return to work. Taylor fined him $200 and $50 costs for the July 8 offense.

Rodney R. Beckwith, 43, of Emmet faced Taylor, without counsel, for arraignment on a count of DUS committed Oct. 18.

He pleaded guilty, telling the judge his license had been suspended for a late child support payment and had been reinstated. Taylor fined him $100 and $50 costs.

Walker L. Anderson, 21, of Coleridge also pleaded guilty to a count of DUS, committed Oct. 26. His license also had been reinstated. Taylor fined him $100 and $50 costs.

Theresa M. Volquardsen, 53, of Elgin faced Taylor for trial on two misdemeanor city of Neligh junk/weed nuisance violations, as well as sentencing on a conviction of maintaining a dangerous building, also a Neligh city code violation. The junk/weed charges were dismissed by the court. Taylor sentenced her to a $500 fine and $50 costs on the dangerous building charge and ordered the property be brought to compliance within 60 days.

Jesse T. Johnson, 41, of Tilden pleaded guilty by waiver and paid a fine of $100 and $49 costs for failure to cancel a deer permit. He was cited Oct. 13 by a Nebraska Game and Parks officer.

Natalie I. Fernau, 50, of O'Neill requested court-appointed counsel, telling Taylor she has been unemployed for about six months. Taylor found her indigent and appointed Carney to represent her on three counts, Count I, driving under the influence, greater than .15%, a Class W misdemeanor; Count II, driving under suspension, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and Count III, driving left of center, an infraction; all alleged in the Oct. 16 incident near the 14/20 junction. If convicted, she faces penalties up to a $500 fine and seven to 60 days in jail on Count I, up to $500 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail on Count II; and up to $100 fine on Count III. Further arraignment is continued to Dec. 4. Bond in the amount of $3,000, 10%, is continued as well.

James D. Butts, 34, of Laurel appeared in front of Taylor for arraignment on a Class 2 misdemeanor count of no insurance and requested court-appointed counsel. Carney was appointed and further arraignment is set Dec. 4.

Douglas D. Carpenter, 43, of Neligh appeared with his attorney, Ryan Stover of Norfolk, for a pretrial hearing on three counts alleged Aug. 31. Stover requested a trial to the court be scheduled, estimating a one-half day duration, and Carpenter waived his right for a jury hear the case. The trial is set Feb. 5, at 1:30 p.m. The defendant pleaded not guilty in October to Count I, stalking, a Class 1 misdemeanor; Count II, disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and Count III, resisting arrest, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Bond is continued in the amount of $10,000, 10%, with terms including no contact with the alleged victim and GPS monitoring. If convicted, Carpenter faces up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine on each Count I and Count III and up to 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine on Count II. Carpenter was arrested Sept. 1 in Neligh.

Jeremy Jones, 29, of Neligh appeared with Carney for further arraignment on three counts alleged in Neligh on Oct. 22, Count I, third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor; Count II, criminal mischief, more than $1,500, also a Class 1 misdemeanor; and Count III, theft by unlawful taking, less than $500, a Class 2 misdemeanor. He pleaded not guilty to all three counts and requested a jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Dec. 4. Bond in the amount of $10,000, 10%, including a no-contact order with his father, either direct or indirect, is continued. If convicted, Jones faces penalties including up to a $1,000 fine and up to one-year imprisonment on each count, as well as restitution.

Taylor signed an arrest warrant for McKayla E. Nienaber, 25, of Albion, who failed to appear. Nienaber is charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor count of writing a bad check, less than $500.

Gustavo H. Padron, 19, of Dallas, Texas, failed to appear on two counts alleged Oct. 12, Count I, possession of marijuana, one ounce or less; and Count II, possession of drug paraphernalia. Both are infractions. Taylor ordered Abler may file affidavit and motion for warrant.

Andrew Paulsen, 32, of Tilden failed to appear to show cause for nonpayment of restitution ordered in a 2017 case, in the amount of $8.29.