Sentences handed down in Antelope County court

Several defendants were arraigned and/or sentenced by the Honorable Donna Taylor, when she presided over Antelope County Court in Neligh last Wednesday, Jan. 15.

Andrew C. Schumacher, 40, of Columbus faced Taylor for arraignment and a motion to suppress on a Class W misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol, second offense. A plea agreement reached in the case resulted in the charge being amended to DUI, first offense, withdrawal of the motion to suppress and a joint recommendation for a probation sentence. Schumacher pleaded guilty to the amended charge. His attorney, Ron Temple of Norfolk, told the judge his client was traveling through Antelope County on Sept. 5 with his grandfather who had consumed alcohol, and he made a misjudgment when he decided to take over driving instead of calling a friend. Taylor sentenced Schumacher to eight months' probation, including fees totaling $280; a $500 fine; $50 costs and revoked his driver's license for 60 days. He was given credit on fines and fees for $180 out-of-pocket expense for an alcohol evaluation.

Heather M. Keto, 49, of Euless, Texas, faced Taylor for arraignment on two Class W misdemeanor counts committed Sept. 3, DUI, first offense, and refusal to submit to breath test. Pursuant to a plea deal, Keto pleaded guilty to Count I and Count II was dropped by Abler. Keto's attorney, Brad Montag of Norfolk, told the judge his client had completed a 30-day treatment program in Texas. Taylor sentenced her to a $500 fine, $50 costs, seven days in the Antelope County Jail and revoked her license for six months. She was remanded to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore to serve the jail sentence.

Siara Thompson, 19, of Tilden pleaded guilty to a charge of minor in possession of alcohol, by consumption, a Class 3 misdemeanor committed Jan. 1. She was sentenced to a $300 fine and $50 costs.

Robert J. Haskin, 38, of Oakdale was arraigned on two counts, no proof of insurance, a Class 2 misdemeanor, and no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor. He pleaded guilty to both counts. Taylor sentenced him to $100 and $25 fines, respectively, and $50 costs for the Nov. 19 offenses.

Kelcie M. Ferry, 26, of Creighton pleaded guilty by waiver to a Class 3 misdemeanor count of failure to change the address on her driver's license, from Norfolk to Creighton. She was fined $50 and $49 costs. She was cited Dec. 2 by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper.

Dennis J. Wilson, 28, of Tilden appeared on a Class 4 felony charge of possessing a controlled substance, methamphetamine. Wilson requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed Patrick Carney of Norfolk. Preliminary hearing is set Feb. 5. According to a probable cause affidavit, Wilson was pulled over in Oakdale by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper Nov. 15, after he was observed driving an un-plated pickup. Wilson was issued warnings for the un-plated vehicle and driving during suspension. The trooper searched the vehicle, with Wilson's permission. He was released when no contraband was found. The trooper later opened the front passenger door of his patrol car, where he observed a wallet and a clear baggie with white residue that field tested positive for meth. Wilson was arrested the following morning at his residence in Tilden. He posted bond in the amount of $2,500, 10% cash.

Korban A. Palmer, 24, of Meadow Grove appeared for arraignment on a DUI charge. Palmer pleaded guilty. Taylor set sentencing for March 4 and ordered Palmer to obtain an alcohol evaluation. Bond in the amount of $1,500, 10%, is continued. Palmer was arrested by an NSP trooper Dec. 7, in Oakdale.

Natalie I. Fernau, 50, of O'Neill appeared for arraignment on three counts, DUI, more than .15, a Class W misdemeanor; driving under suspension, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and driving left of center, an infraction. Represented by Carney, Fernau entered a guilty plea to the DUI charge per terms of a plea agreement; In return, Abler agreed to dismiss the other two counts. Taylor set sentencing for March 4 and ordered Fernau to obtain an alcohol evaluation. Bond in the amount of $3,000, 10%, is continued. She was arrested by an NSP trooper and Moore on Oct. 16, near the junction of highways 14 and 20, with a preliminary breath test of .412.

Jessica L. Hassett, 38, of Madison, faced Taylor for a pretrial hearing on a Class 1 misdemeanor count of false reporting, alleged Sept. 29 after a traffic accident in Orchard. On her behalf, Hassett's court-appointed attorney, Jeff Doerr of Neligh, requested continuance, pending release of a complete discharge summary from a treatment center. Doerr said he wanted the summary because the defendant had done "exceptionally well." Hassett is currently serving a Thurston County sentence, set for release April 1. Taylor continued pretrial proceedings to Feb. 5. Hassett was remanded to Moore's custody.

Addison S. Woodard Junior, 46, of Elgin was granted a continuance of his pretrial hearing on a Class 1 misdemeanor count of third-degree domestic assault, alleged Oct. 20 in Clearwater. The hearing is continued to Feb. 19. Woodard's court-appointed attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, asked Taylor to amend bond conditions, to allow Woodard and his wife to attend marriage counseling sessions. Abler did not object. Taylor continued bond, in the amount of $4,000, 10%, with the amended terms.

Mitchell B. Heine, 25, of Fordyce, charged with three Class 4 felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, alleged May 24 near the intersection of highways 14 and 20, was granted continuance of a preliminary hearing, until Feb. 19. He is represented by Ryon Stover of Norfolk. Bond, in the amount of $10,000, 10%, is continued.

Taylor also approved continuances until Feb. 27, for the following defendants:

Colleen Murphey, 59, of Orchard: pretrial hearing on two counts, DUI, a Class W misdemeanor, and reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor. She is represented by Rod Smith of O'Neill. Bond in the amount of $1,500, 10%, filed Aug. 29, is continued.

Kael R. Prince, 36, of Orchard, pretrial on four counts alleged April 7, obstruct a police officer, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and three infraction counts, possession marijuana, less than one ounce, first offense, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding. He is represented by Carney. Bond of $4,000, 10%, filed April 8, is continued.

David C. Ames, 26, of Creighton, pretrial on charge of DUI, second offense, alleged June 6 in Orchard. He is represented by Temple. Bond in the amount of $3,000, 10%, posted June 6, is continued.