Incarcerated man fined for Holt County crimes

Kraig A. Brown, 33, a former O’Neill resident who is currently incarcerated, faced the Honorable Kale Burdick, electronically from the Omaha Correction Center, last Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Pursuant to a plea deal with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly, Brown pleaded guilty to four counts committed March 1, careless driving, an infraction; no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and no operator’s license, also a Class 3 misdemeanor. In return, Kelly recommended fines only. Burdick sentenced him to fines of $100, $50, $25 and $25, respectively, and assessed $50 costs of prosecution.

Brown was sentenced May 14 by the Honorable Mark Kozisek in Brown County district court in Ainsworth, to 24 to 36 months in the Nebraska Department of Corrections for a felony conviction of abuse of a vulnerable adult. In addition, Kozisek resentenced him for a felony committed in 2016, distribution of a controlled substance, to an additional 24 to 60 months. Probation was revoked March 10. The Brown County sentences were ordered consecutive to one another.

Brown was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith of O’Neill.

Jesse R. Anderson, 38, of O’Neill appeared in front of Burdick for two cases.

In the first case, pursuant to a plea agreement, Anderson pleaded guilty to a Class W misdemeanor, driving under the influence of alcohol, second offense. As part of the agreement, both parties recommended a 30-day jail sentence, with a 30-day deferment.

Burdick ordered said sentence in the Holt County Jail, with credit for one day previously served; a $500 fine; revoked his driver’s license for 18 months and taxed him $105 costs. Commitment is ordered to commence Oct. 15 Anderson also pleaded guilty to a Class 3 misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace, committed Aug. 8. Burdick sentenced him to one day in the county jail and assessed $50 costs.

Anderson was represented by Smith.

Brent A. Goeken, 39, of Springview faced Burdick for arraignment on a charge of unauthorized use of a propelled vehicle, a Class 3 misdemeanor committed July 15 in Stuart. Goeken pleaded guilty pursuant to a plea deal which also included a joint recommendation for a sentence of jail time served while awaiting bond.

Burdick sentenced him to six days in the county jail, with credit for six days previously served, and assessed costs of $50.

Goeken was represented by Smith.

Aaron B. Croom Sr., 32, of Ewing faced Burdick for a pretrial hearing on two Class 3 misdemeanors alleged March 10 in O’Neill, Count I, disturbing the peace, and Count II, criminal mischief, both Class 3 misdemeanors.

Croom changed his previous not guilty plea to guilty on Count I, pursuant to a plea agreement. In return, Kelly dismissed Count II and both parties agreed to recommend a fine only at sentencing. Burdick sentenced him to a $100 fine and taxed him $50 costs of prosecution.

He was represented by Smith.

Jenny M. Menke, 29, of Pierce pleaded guilty by waiver to a violation of Nebraska Game and Parks deer regulations. She was fined $100 and $49 costs for the Sept. 2 offense committed north of O’Neill.