Sentences handed down in Holt County district court

Charles E. Krysl, 44, of O’Neill was sentenced by the Honorable Mark Kozisek last Monday, May 4, in the Holt County district court.

Krysl pleaded no contest March 9, pursuant to a plea agreement reached with Brent Kelly, Holt County attorney. In return Kelly dismissed counts I, III, IV and VI, first-degree false imprisonment, Class 3A felony, third-degree domestic assault, Class 1 misdemeanor, disturbing the peace, Class 3 misdemeanor, and child abuse, Class I misdemeanor, respectively; as well as a separate Holt County court case, and agreed not to pursue charges in a Boyd County case. Krysl was judged guilty, as charged, to Count II, terroristic threats, a Class 3A felony, and Count V, first-degree criminal trespass, a Class 1 misdemeanor. The crimes were committed May 14, 2019. Kozisek sentenced him to fines of $1,000 for Count II and $500 for Count V, along with $148 costs. Krysl was represented by Rod Palmer of Ainsworth.

Andy R. Potts Vandemheen, 39, of South Sioux City appeared for sentencing on six Feb. 15, 2019 crimes, after he pleaded no contest, pursuant to a plea deal reached March 9, with Kelly. Three Class 4 felony counts of possessing a controlled substance – phentermine, hydrocodone and tetrahydrocannabinol - were decreased to Class 1 misdemeanor counts of attempted possession. There was no sentencing agreement and the parties acknowledged that the plea bargain did not address nor affect any proceedings pending in federal court involving Potts Vandemheen. Kozisek found him guilty of the three amended charges and three infraction counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and ordered an 18-month term of probation. He was represented by Bergan Schumacher of Kearney.

Leo H. Ritter, 33, of O’Neill withdrew his previous not guilty pleas and entered guilty pleas to a pair Class 2 felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, as part of a plea agreement. Sentencing was deferred pending defendant’s participation in North Central problem-solving court, as part of the deal. He is required to pay a $30 enrollment fee and $100 per month in drug court fees; $450 probation fees; $90 drug testing fees and costs of prosecution, totaling $1,830, for the Aug. 25, 2019 crimes. Ritter is represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith of O’Neill.