Holt County Judge hears variety of cases

The Honorable Kale Burdick, in Holt County court last week, sentenced Joshua A. Boettcher, 28, to serve 30 days in the Holt County Jail for a Class 2 misdemeanor count of theft, less than $500.

The complaint, filed in June 2019, stated Boettcher took movable property of another between Jan. 9, 2018, and Jan. 9, 2019. Boettcher will serve a 45-day sentence at the same time on a conviction of second-degree forgery, a Class 2 misdemeanor committed Oct. 27, 2018, included in the same complaint.

As part of a plea agreement entered in October 2019, two additional forgery counts, alleged in June and November 2018, were dismissed by Holt County attorney Brent Kelly.

Through the course of court proceedings in the case, Boettcher was listed with addresses in Neligh, Stuart and Atkinson.

Brandi A. Summers, 34, of Page was sentenced by Burdick to a six-month term of probation for a Class 1 misdemeanor count of child abuse, negligent with no injury, committed Sept. 17, 2019. The probation order also includes an enrollment fee of $30 and $50 costs. Monthly probation fees totaling $150 were waived. In addition, she was ordered to comply with case plans in two Holt County juvenile cases, as well as recommendations resulting from psychological and psychiatric evaluations ordered in the juvenile cases.

The charge was reduced by Kelly on Jan. 28, from a Class 3A felony count of intentional child abuse, no injury. Summers pleaded no contest. She was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith of O’Neill.

Jeffrey R. Wehman, 33, of O’Neill faced Burdick for arraignment on two counts of issuing bad checks, totaling $796.05, to O’Neill businesses Sept. 24. He pleaded guilty and was fined $50 on each count; restitution of $731.19 to Holt County Tire and $84.86 to Carquest; and $50 costs.

Ryan D. Brummels, 19, of Ewing appeared in front of Burdick for arraignment on a Class 2 misdemeanor count of theft, less than $500, committed Dec. 31, 2019, in O’Neill. Brummels pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a six-month term of probation, including $230 fees and costs and 50 hours community service. He was represented by Kathleen Rockey of Norfolk.

Dustin A. Easton, 32, of Stuart appeared for a pretrial hearing on counts of driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class W misdemeanor, and possession of an open alcohol container, an infraction, committed Oct. 20, 2019, in Stuart. A plea agreement was entered, with Kelly reducing the DUI charge to “non-aggravated.” Easton withdrew his previous not guilty pleas and pleaded guilty to both counts. There was a joint recommendation for a deferred seven-day jail sentence. Burdick sentenced Easton to fines of $500 and $50, respectively; $105 costs; and seven days in the county jail on the DUI charge, to commence Feb. 17. He was given credit for one day previously served. Bond in the amount of $5,000, 10% was applied to fines and costs. He was represented by Smith.

David A. Carr, 24, of O’Neill appeared for arraignment on a charge of no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor committed Jan. 27 in O’Neill. Carr pleaded guilty and was sentenced $200 and $50 costs.

Anthony J. Schindler, 50, of Neligh faced Burdick for arraignment on a Class 2 misdemeanor of second-degree trespassing. Per terms of an agreement with Kelly, Schindler pleaded guilty and Kelly recommended a fine only at sentencing. Burdick fined Schindler $100 and $50 costs for the Dec. 19 offense.

Carter D. Lammers, 18, of Hartington pleaded guilty by waiver to four violations of Nebraska hunting regulations Jan. 4. He was cited about 17 miles north of O’Neill. Charges include Count I, hunting without permission; Count II, shooting wildlife from roadway; Count III, hunting too close to a dwelling or feedlot, all Class 3 misdemeanors; and Count IV, harvesting fur without permit, a Class 2 misdemeanor. Lammers was sentenced to pay fines of $200, $500, $100 and $150, respectively, and $49 costs.

Austin W. Tinsley, 32, of Neligh pleaded guilty by waiver to a violation of Nebraska fishing regulations. He was fined $100, assessed $50 liquidated damages and $49 costs for possession of a 14-inch largemouth bass, more than two times the limit, at Goose Lake Wildlife Management Area’s south ramp Feb. 1