Assistant attorney general prosecutes O'Neill man in Holt County court

Benjamin Parks, 22, of O’Neill appeared in Holt County court last Tuesday, Feb. 18, for a preliminary hearing on two charges filed by chief deputy Nebraska Attorney General David Bydalek last November, Count I, tampering with a witness, a Class 4 felony committed May 6, 2019, and procuring alcohol for a minor, a Class 1 misdemeanor. A plea deal was struck with prosecutor Mariah J. Nickel, assistant attorney general, and Parks attorney, Allison Rockey Mason of Norfolk. In exchange for a no contest plea to Count II, Nickel dismissed Count I. The Honorable Kale Burdick sentenced Parks to a $500 fine and $50 costs of prosecution.

Geraldine F. Peterson, 68, of Chambers faced Burdick for a pretrial hearing on a count of driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor. Pursuant to a plea bargain reached with Holt County prosecutor Brent Kelly, Peterson pleaded guilty to a reduced Class 3 misdemeanor count of reckless driving. As part of the agreement, Kelly recommended a fine only. Burdick sentenced her to a $500 fine and $107 costs of prosecution for the Nov. 20, 2019, crime. Peterson was represented by Knox County public defender Rod Smith of O’Neill.

Alex E. Hubenka, 25, of Chambers appeared without counsel on three counts, Count I, display of fictitious plates and Count II, no valid registration, both Class 3 misdemeanors; and Count III, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor. Per terms of a plea agreement, Kelly dismissed counts I and II in return for Hubenka’s guilty plea to Count III. In addition, Kelly recommended a fine only. Burdick sentenced Hubenka to a $100 fine and $50 costs for the Jan. 21 offense.

Asa S. Dexter, 49, of Bartlett faced Burdick on a Class 3 misdemeanor count of driving under suspension. Dexter pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a $100 fine and $50 costs. He was arrested Jan. 8 by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper after a speeding stop on Highway 281.

Burdick fined Jose L. Rivera, 37, of O’Neill $100 for a Class 1 misdemeanor, false reporting and $200 and one-year revocation of his driver’s license for DUS. He was also assessed $50 costs of prosecution for the Oct. 21, 2019, offenses. Rivera pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea agreement. He was represented by Smith.

Dustin R. Coburn, 37, of Atkinson, pleaded guilty by waiver and was fined $150 and $49 costs for a Jan. 28 Class 2 misdemeanor count of harvest/possession fur without a permit.