Registry violation costs Crofton man eight grand

Jeremy J. Mathrole, 40, of Crofton appeared in the Antelope County district courtroom Wednesday, Oct. 28, for sentencing on a count of violating the Nebraska Sexual Offender Registration Act.

Mathrole was represented by Antelope County public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk, who commented, “I think this is a lesson for the Legislature,” citing the differences in registry regulations in different states and his client’s travel to multiple states for work. He requested a sentence of time already served, alternately stating Mathrole had the ability to pay a fine, in lieu of incarceration.

An enhancement hearing was also held, with the Honorable Mark Johnson finding evidence qualifying the violation as second offense, a Class 3A felony. He proceeded to fine Mathrole $8,000 and assess him $138 costs of prosecution. Mathrole was given credit for 21 days previously served in the county jail, at a rate of $150 per day, for credit of $3,150. Bond funds held by the county of $900 were applied to the fine, leaving a balance of $3,950, to be paid at a rate of $1,000 per month.

Johnson told Mathrole he had the burden to make himself fully aware of registry requirements wherever he resides.

“I am giving you a break, sometimes it’s easier to sit in jail than to lose a chunk of dough. (I am) hoping losing this chunk of dough is incentive. Next time is a felony, you could end up three years in prison,” Johnson said.

Mathrole was convicted Aug. 26, pursuant to a plea agreement that resulted in a second count being dropped. He was arrested Feb. 11, after Neligh police chief Michael Wright determined he had been staying at a Neligh motel, beginning Feb. 2, and had failed to register the address with the NSOR. He had previously been convicted of SOR violations in 2008 and 2018, in Clay County, South Dakota. According to the NSOR, Mathrole has a lifetime registry requirement. He was convicted in 2001, in Iowa, of a misdemeanor, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, aggravated. The victim was a minor.

Robert J. Haskin, 39, of Oakdale was sentenced to incarceration in the Antelope County Jail for three Class 1 misdemeanors committed May 5 in Oakdale. The sentence includes 364 days for attempted possession of methamphetamine, 364 days for third-degree assault and 180 days for obstructing a police officer, with credit for 177 days previously served, to be served concurrently. He was assessed $138 costs of prosecution.

Abler told the judge that the victim, Haskin’s grandmother, didn’t want anything done to him. However, Abler said, despite a presentence investigation report that recommended probation, Haskin has “quite a history built up,” and had previously been given opportunities for probation, listing four times - 1992 for burglary, 2016 for SOR violation, 2016 for burglary and 2017 for SOR violation. On behalf of the state of Nebraska, he recommended incarceration on the assault and obstructing convictions and probation for the possession of meth charge.

Carney explained his client was in a “dream-like” state from drug use when he struck his grandmother and ran from the house. He cited volunteer work Haskin had done for the city of Neligh and at the jail while incarcerated. He said Haskin was embarrassed and wants to get his life together, stay off drugs and continue to help the community.

“At some point in time, the community is no longer responsible to rehabilitate, it is the community’s response to remove (offender) from the community,” Johnson said. “You attacked your 83-year-old grandmother, causing her to get stitches and replace her dentures. The court will take into account the defendant was engaged in another illegal activity that contributed.”

Haskin pleaded guilty Aug. 26, pursuant to a plea deal. A felony count of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person was dropped and a felony count of possession of meth reduced to the misdemeanor count of attempted possession.

Haskin was arrested after Antelope County officers responded to a call to Oakdale and, while searching for Haskin, allegedly located a pipe and a bong, believed to be used to smoke marijuana, a clear pipe believed to be used for smoking meth and a set of brass knuckles in his bedroom. The victim in the case was his grandmother, with whom he resided.

Haskin was remanded to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore to serve the sentence.

Johnson ruled on a request for the return of a firearm, filed by Kris Tabbert of Orchard, on behalf of her 13-year-old son. The weapon, a .22 caliber rifle with sentimental value, was seized by Antelope County officials, after they alleged it was in the possession of the late Troy Miller who was prohibited from possessing a firearm. Miller had completed a six-month probation sentence for the offense prior to his August death.

Tabbert, in a letter to the court, said the youth had completed a required hunter safety course with assistance of deputy John Shaver.

Johnson and Abler reviewed Nebraska statutes and Johnson ordered the Antelope County sheriff return the weapon to Tabbert.

Ronald E. Frazier, 48, of Neligh appeared for pretrial hearing on a Class 3A felony charge of terroristic threats, committed July 6 at a Neligh bar. Frazier changed his plea to guilty, pursuant to a plea agreement. In return, Abler agreed to file no additional charges in the case.

Johnson ordered a presentence investigation report and set sentencing Dec. 23.

Bond, in the amount of $10,000, 10%, was reduced to $5,000, 10%, with conditions Frazier not leave Antelope County, except for travel to the probation office in Norfolk to complete the PSI; have no contact with Sly’s Family Bar and Grill nor Thomas Stepp; and provide sheriff’s office with phone number and address of residence.

“They will check on you,” Johnson said.

Frazier was remanded to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore, pending posting of bond. He is represented by Carney.

Dennis Wilson, who was in custody at the Antelope County Jail on a 14-day probation -violation sanction, faced Johnson for a revocation of probation hearing. He admitted violating conditions of probation ordered June 24 for his conviction of a Class 4 felony, possession of a controlled substance, meth. Abler filed a motion to revoke probation Sept. 22, citing a July 24 Madison County arrest for third-degree domestic assault.

Sentencing is set Nov. 25. Wilson is represented by Carney.

Kristen R. Bliss, 25, of Norfolk was also back in the district courtroom on allegations of violating probation.

Bliss was sentenced to 18 months substance abuse supervised probation in December 2019. Multiple violation allegations were filed by her probation officer Jan. 27 and amended Feb. 3. The January document noted Bliss had absconded as of Jan. 24. She was arrested Jan. 30 on Stanton County charges and appeared in Neligh on the violation allegations Feb. 26. She requested court-appointed counsel and Carney was appointed. Johnson issued a warrant for her arrest after she failed to appear March 25, setting bond at $50,000, 10%. The warrant was served Oct. 27 when she was released from the Nebraska Correctional Center for Women in York, where she served a sentence in the Stanton County case.

Further arraignment on the probation violation is set Nov. 25. Bond is continued. Bliss was remanded to Moore’s custody.

She was also set for sentencing in a Wayne County district court Nov. 4, on a felony conviction of possession of a controlled substance.

Eliud A. Herrara-Cuevas, 21, of San Bernardino, California, appeared for arraignment on two counts, Count I, theft by receiving stolen property, $1,500-$4,999, a Class 4 felony; and Count II, criminal mischief, a Class 3 felony, alleged in relation to a stolen Suburban recovered near Clearwater on Sept. 20.

Herrara-Cuevas pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Dec. 23 and trial, Jan. 19, 2021. He is represented by Carney. Bond in the amount of $10,000, 10% is continued.

Herrara-Cuevas was remanded to the custody of Moore.

A co-defendant, Christopher J. Alexander, 22, of Omaha, had a waiver of appearance document filed by his court-appointed attorney, Martin Klein of Neigh, including a plea of not guilty on a single Class 4 felony count of theft by receiving stolen property, $1,500-$4,999. He is also set for pretrial hearing Dec. 23 and jury trial Jan. 19, 2021. Bond in the amount of $10,000, 10% is continued.