O'Neill man faces first-degree sexual assault charge

A 55-year-old O’Neill man waived his right to preliminary hearing when he faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom last Tuesday, Oct. 5, and was bound over to Holt County district court on a charge of first-degree sexual assault.

Ronald J. Ross Jr. is scheduled to appear for arraignment in the district courtroom Nov. 9, on the Class 2 felony, alleged between March 2008 and March 2009. The complaint was filed by Holt County attorney Brent Kelly last month.

Ross is represented by Bergan E. Schumacher and the firm Bruner Frank Schumacher, L.L.C. of Kearney.

In other Holt County court cases:

• Haden J. Sybrant, 31, of Bassett pleaded guilty to an amended count, driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, committed July 3. He was sentenced to a $500 fine, a six-month term of probation, $210 in probation-related fees and $50 costs of prosecution. Sybrant’s driver’s license was suspended for 60 days. In addition to standard probation terms, Burdick ordered the defendant to attend and complete an alcohol education class; attend one AA meeting per week and obtain a sponsor for same; successfully complete all recommendations included in an alcohol dependency evaluation and complete a MADD impact panel, either in-person or if eligible, online. Sybrant was represented by Forrest Peetz of O’Neill.

• Christopher J. Hysell, 44, of O’Neill pleaded guilty, pursuant to a plea agreement with Kelly, to disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor committed July 28 in O’Neill. In return, Kelly dismissed two infraction counts, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Burdick fined Hysell $50 and assessed $50 costs. Hysell was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith of O’Neill.

• James L. Palik, 19, of O’Neill appeared, without counsel, on two cases, Class 3 misdemeanor counts of driving under suspension, May 27 and Aug. 30. He pleaded guilty to both counts and was fined $100 and assessed $50 costs on each.

• Katherine A. Miller, 64, of O’Neill pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a count of allowing a dog to run at large, third offense. She was fined $50 and $49 costs for the Aug. 9 city ordinance violation.