Pierce County plea deal includes dropping Antelope County charges

Matthew C. Waters, 34, a South Dakota man currently incarcerated, was granted continuances of his pretrial hearing and jury trial by the Honorable Mark Johnson in Antelope County district court last Wednesday.

Court appearances are now tentatively set May 27 and July 21, respectively, on charges related to a multi-county pursuit that ended near Royal last November. Waters is charged with two Class 4 felonies in Antelope County, attempted assault on a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, both alleged Nov. 18 2019.

In support of the motion filed earlier in the week, Waters’ attorney Timothy Noerrlinger of Lincoln, said additional time was requested due to “the state dismissing this case after the defendant enters a plea in Pierce County case.”

Waters had faced 12 counts of attempted assault in the first degree, Class 3A felonies, in Pierce County. The charges involved allegations that he deliberately swerved into 12 oncoming vehicles during the Nov. 18 pursuit.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Waters pleaded guilty Thursday, April 30, to three charges in amended information filed by prosecutor Ted Lohrberg in Pierce County district court.

Waters appeared via video conference, according to court records. He was found guilty of two counts of attempted assault in the first degree, Class 2A felonies, and one count of flight to avoid, reckless, a Class 4 felony, by the Honorable James Kube.

Additional terms of the plea deal included Waters agreement to pay restitution and, upon payment of costs, the Antelope County case will be dismissed. Pierce County sentencing is set July 7.

Bond in the Pierce County case was reduced from $250,000, to $100,000, 10% cash. Antelope County bond remains at $100,000, 10%.