Dad sentenced for involvement in teenager incident

A dad, who had been remanded to the county sheriff’s custody to serve a jail sentence, drove away from the courthouse in a private vehicle last Wednesday, with his children as passengers.

Shane Sleister did not go directly to jail. Instead of proceeding north toward the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center, Sleister’s vehicle headed west on 5th Street, followed by Antelope County deputy and courtroom bailiff, Lyle Juracek,

The 46-year old Oakdale man faced Taylor for sentencing on a Class 3 misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace, a charge that stemmed from a May 25 incident that began between his son and other youth at a Neligh residence.

As promised in a plea deal, Antelope County Attorney Joseph Abler made no sentence recommendation. He did, however, remind the judge of details surrounding the incident. He said he had notified the youth accosted by Sleister, and the youth’s mother, of the sentencing but they did not appear in court. He also reminded Judge Donna Taylor of Sleister’s extensive criminal history.

According to court records, the youth and his mother are both listed as protected parties in a harassment protection order issued against Sleister on June 17.

Public defender Melissa Figueroa, on behalf of her client, requested a fine. She said Sleister’s son had been involved in the incident that “got out of hand.” She said Sleister took responsibility. She also said he had recently obtained employment and was participating in a Meridian COVID-19 vaccine trial in Norfolk, receiving the first vaccination the previous day and was scheduled for the second one Sept. 9, in addition to handling day-to-day participation with his son’s juvenile case.

“I know the last fine took me a long time to get that sucker paid off,” Sleister said. “I don’t want to say nothing bad about (son’s) mom, but every time he is at her house, it seems like he takes two steps back…I’m afraid if I don’t keep hammering on him, he’s going to fall back.”

“I know you want to be there for your son,” Taylor told him, then scolded him for inserting himself into an incident involving teenagers, lifting a youth by the shirt and spitting in his face.

“You have a record I’m sure you’re not proud of,” she said.

She sentenced him to 27 days in the Antelope County Jail and ordered $50 costs of prosecution be paid prior to release or sat out in jail.

Sleister attempted some delay tactics, citing his participation in a daily diary for the Meridian study and asking for time to situate his children, who had accompanied him to court.

Taylor denied his requests, telling him that his mother could care for the children and he could discuss diary participation with sheriff Bob Moore.

When people go to jail, they go from here,” she said.

Sleister also has a felony strangulation/domestic assault/trespassing case pending in Madison County district court, in which he is accused of strangling his wife at her workplace last December, after being banned from the site. His $20,000 bond there was revoked for two violations related to the Antelope County case, and was subsequently increased to $50,000, 10%, which he posted June 29.

Drake C. Keahna, 22, of Montour, Iowa, faced Taylor on charges of speeding, 40 mph in a 30 mph zone, and having no valid operator’s license, both committed in Orchard on Aug. 15. He was fined $25 and $75, respectively, and $50 costs. At the suggestion of Abler, Taylor ordered one day of his jail credit be applied to the fines and costs, clearing the case. She then took up Keahna’s fugitive from justice status, regarding two warrants issued in Iowa. Keahna waved his right to formal extradition proceedings, agreeing to voluntarily be returned to Woodbury County, Iowa, to face two separate allegations, operating a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana and possession of marijuana, first offense. Moore advised Woodbury County officials had indicated they would transport him yet Wednesday.

Sergio Martinez, 32, of Clearwater appeared for arraignment on two counts, Count I, operation of a vehicle while his Nebraska driver’s license was suspended, and Count II, no operator’s license, both Class 3 misdemeanors. Communicating through an interpreter via speaker phone, Martinez was advised of his rights and the potential penalties for the two Class 3 misdemeanors, up to $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail on each. However, if he has a valid operator’s license prior to sentencing, the penalty for Count I will be just a $100 fine. He pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Sept. 29, again with assistance from interpreter, Perla Alarcon-Flory.

Martinez was stopped west of Neligh on Highway 275 at about 3 a.m. July 15 after his vehicle was observed crossing the white fog line by an Antelope County deputy. Three passengers in the vehicle, none of whom had drivers’ licenses, were transported to their Clearwater residence and the Dodge Ram pickup was towed.

Bond in the amount of $1,500, 10%, is continued. Martinez is represented by Martin Klein of Neligh.

Figueroa, on behalf of Laura B. Buckingham, 31, of Scribner, who was scheduled for further arraignment on a count of third-degree assault, by mutual consent, alleged June 22 in Orchard, requested a continuance, telling Taylor her client was incarcerated in Madison County.

Taylor continued arraignment to Sept. 2 and, at the suggestion of Abler, issued a transport order if the defendant is still incarcerated. Buckingham now faces charges in four counties - Madison, Cumming and Dodge, in addition to Antelope.

Nicholas B. Planansky, 19, of Chadron changed his plea to a Class 1 misdemeanor charge of third-degree assault, pursuant to a plea agreement.

In return for Abler’s recommendation for a probation sentence, Planansky entered a guilty plea and agreed to pay nearly $4,000 in restitution to the victim of the May 16 assault. Taylor ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing Sept. 29.

Jacob P. Schmit, 26, of Oakdale faced Taylor on a count of terroristic threats, alleged July 25 through social media. He requested a preliminary hearing on the Class 3A felony.

Bond of $10,000, 10%, is continued. Schmit is represented by Figueroa.

Patrick J. Linthicum, 32, of Oakdale pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial on a charge of driving under the influence, +0.15, first offense, alleged June 26. Pretrial hearing is set Sept. 2. Bond, in the amount of $10,000, 10%, is continued. He is represented by Figueroa.

Raymond F. Poli, 43, of Neligh pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial on two counts alleged May 20, disturbing the peace and no operator’s license, both Class 3 misdemeanors. Pretrial hearing is set Sept. 2. He is represented by Figueroa.

Mark Morrison of Oakdale faced Taylor for a show-cause hearing on an Oakdale village public nuisance conviction. He was fined $500 and $50 costs June 17, with payment deferred until last week. He was to show proof the property had been cleaned to receive credit of $500. Morrison told Taylor he had done nothing further to clean the property but asked for additional time in order to complete a pending sale. He said a buyer had agreed to purchase the property for the $550 Morrison owes and to clean it up.

“It was your property, you can sell it if you want, I don’t care,” Taylor told him. “But it doesn’t do the city any good…you told Oakdale you would clean it up, you told the court you would clean it up.”

She gave him until Sept. 29 to pay or show cause why he shouldn’t be jailed for nonpayment.

Mariam Barnhard, 75, of Ewing failed to appear on a Class 2 misdemeanor count of issuing a bad check. Taylor ruled Abler may file motion and affidavit for an arrest warrant.

Abler dismissed a bad check charge filed last year against McKayla E. Nienaber, 25, of Norfolk, upon her payment of $51 costs. Bond fee of $270 held by the county was refunded. She was represented by Figueroa.

Steven T. Kampbell, 25, of Boulder, Montana, was given the opportunity to resolve his case remotely. Pursuant to an agreement offered by Abler and approved by Taylor, Kampbell pleaded guilty by waiver to a reduced charge of disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and was fined $300 and assessed $49 costs. Kampbell was originally charged with third-degree assault, by mutual consent, for his involvement in an altercation in Neligh on May 22.

Taylor signed arrest warrants after Abler filed motions last week on the following defendants who had failed to appear in court:

•Eric D. Wilson, 38, of Minnesota Lake, Minnesota, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, alleged March 3;

•Lauriann G. Cecil, 34, of Waseca, Minnesota, charged with possession of marijuana, alleged March 3;

•Dominic Bratcher, 26, of Olivia, Minnesota, charged with possession of marijuana, alleged May 29;

•Sadie S. Dorn, 40, of Lincoln, charged with driving under suspension, alleged May 28; and

•Jon Grothe, 50, of Elgin, charged with issuing a bad check, alleged Feb. 12.