Stuckwisch takes plea deal, convicted of sexual abuse of six children

Roger D. Stuckwisch, 78, of Tilden, was convicted of six crimes in a sexual assault case with victims as young as four years of age.

Charged with 12 counts of sexual assault of a child, five first degree and seven third degree, Stuckwisch was adjudged guilty by the Honorable Mark Johnson in the Antelope County district court last week, after he pleaded no contest, pursuant to a plea deal, to subjecting six different children to sexual abuse between 2005 and 2016.

He was convicted of Count I, as charged, first-degree sexual assault of a child, a Class 1B felony; an amended Count II, criminal attempt, sexual assault of a child in the first degree, a Class 2 felony; and counts III, IV, V and VI, all amended to child abuse (sexual abuse), class 3A felonies.

In exchange for the no contest pleas, the remaining six counts were dismissed by county prosecutor Joseph Abler. Abler also agreed to file no additional charges in the case but will be free to make sentence recommendations.

Sentencing is set Oct. 28. Stuckwisch faces penalties including: 20 years to life in prison on Count I, with a mandatory minimum of 15-years (no parole during first 15 years); one to 50 years in prison on Count II; as well as up to three years of incarceration and/or up to $10,000 fine on each of counts III, IV, V and VI.

According to a factual basis read into the record by Abler, had the case gone to trial, testimony would have been heard from six victims who were between the ages four and 12 years when the abuse took place while they were being cared for at Stuckwisch’s residence, some abused as often as several times a week over as long as a four-year time span, in the living room, kitchen, a bedroom or the garage of the Tilden residence.

Johnson also found Count I to be an aggravated offense that will subject Stuckwisch to lifetime registration and community supervision under the Sex Offender Registration Act.

Bond, in the amount of $5 million, 10% cash, is continued.

Stuckwisch was remanded to the custody of sheriff Robert Moore. He is represented by public defender Patrick Carney of Norfolk.

Robert J. Haskin, 38, of Oakdale appeared for a pretrial hearing on four counts, Count I, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, a Class 3 felony; Count II, possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine, a Class 4 felony; Count III, third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and Count IV, obstructing a police officer, also a Class 1 misdemeanor.

A plea agreement was reached in the case, resulting in Abler dismissing Count I and reducing Count II, to attempted possession of meth, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Haskin withdrew his previous pleas and pleaded guilty to the three misdemeanor counts. Johnson ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing Oct. 28.

Carney requested Haskin’s $50,000 bond be reduced due to it being set “with a felony charge in mind.” He suggested $10,000. Abler did not object to reducing bond but questioned living arrangements if Haskin bonded out and suggested $25,000. Haskin had previously resided with his grandmother, who was the victim. Johnson reduced bond to $25,000, 10%, with a condition remaining for no direct or indirect contact with the victim.

Haskin was remanded to Moore’s custody.

Jeremy J. Mathrole, 40, of Crofton also reached a plea agreement with the prosecutor. Charged with two Class 3A felony counts of violating the Nebraska Sexual Offender Registration Act (second or subsequent offense), he appeared for a pretrial hearing. In exchange for his guilty plea to one count, Abler dismissed the second count and agreed to file no additional charges in the case. Johnson ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing Oct. 28. Bond filed March 9, in the amount of $10,000, 10%, is continued. Mathrole is represented by Carney.

Wesley D. Hattula, 21, of Oakdale, currently incarcerated at the Antelope County Jail, appeared for a pretrial hearing on charges of incest, a Class 2A felony; manufacture of child pornography, a Class 1D felony; and possession of child pornography, a Class 4 felony, all alleged April 21.

Carney informed the judge evidence at the state crime lab had not yet been processed and requested continuance of pretrial hearing and jury trial. Pretrial proceedings are now set Nov. 25 and jury trial, Jan. 19, 2021. Johnson apologized for the delay, saying the pandemic has wreaked havoc on the court calendar. He said if time opens up on the court calendar, the case will be moved up.

A $100,000, 10% bond is continued, with a condition for no contact with anyone under 18, neither direct or indirect. He was remanded to Moore’s custody.