Neligh man fined $1,250 plus jail, probation

Jefferey C. Voborny, 58, of Neligh faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, Dec. 16, for sentencing.

Voborny pleaded guilty Nov. 4, after reaching a plea deal with Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler, to Count I, driving under the influence of alcohol, 0.15 or more, second offense, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and no contest to Count II, leaving the scene of a property-damage accident, a Class 2 misdemeanor, both committed Sept. 3. In return, Abler dismissed an infraction count of failure to yield right of way on a left turn, agreed to file no additional charges in the case and not to make a recommendation at sentencing. Voborny also agreed to pay restitution to the other driver for damages not covered by insurance.

Taylor sentenced Voborny to a $1,000 fine, 30 days in the Antelope County Jail, with credit for one day previously served, an 18-month probation term, along with $580 in probation fees, and two years revocation of his driver’s license on Count I; a $250 fine, along with probation on Count II; and $155 costs of prosecution.

Voborny was represented by public defender Melissa Figueroa of Norfolk.

Jordon D. Dredge, 30, of Elgin pleaded guilty to an amended charge, after reaching agreement with Abler. In return for Dredge’s guilty plea to disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor, Abler agreed to file no additional charges and recommend a fine only at sentencing.

Taylor sentenced Dredge to a $250 fine and $50 costs of prosecution. Dredge, who was represented by Frederick Bartell of Norfolk, was one of three defendants charged with assault by mutual consent, a Class 2 misdemeanor, relative to a Sept. 12 fight in Elgin.

Michael A. Voborny-Williams, 25, of Elgin also pleaded guilty to an amended count of disturbing the peace, after reaching a similar plea deal with Abler, relative to the same incident.

He was also fined $250 and $50 costs. He was represented by court-appointed attorney, Jeff Doerr of Neligh.

Ricky S. Klabenes, 29, of Chambers waived his right to counsel and pleaded guilty to a count of driving under suspension/before reinstated, a Class 3 misdemeanor committed Nov. 20.

Taylor fined him $100 and assessed costs of $50.

Elliot M. Sjuts, 33, of Billings, Montana, pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a pair of Class 2 misdemeanor Nebraska Game and Parks violations for lending his deer permit to his wife, Megan, who killed a whitetail buck on an unlawfully obtained resident permit and a whitetail doe on an unlawfully obtained landowner permit. He was fined $150 for each, along with liquidated damages of $2,000 and $500, respectively, and $49 costs. The deer were shot on the Sjuts’ property two miles west of Neligh.

Paige M. Korth, 23, of Bassett pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a Class 3 misdemeanor, DUS, and was fined $100 and $49 costs.

David C. Ames, 27 of Omaha failed to appear on charges he violated probation, ordered by Taylor in March, for a DUI committed in June 2019.

Taylor ruled the county attorney may file motion for arrest warrant.

Alleged violations include failure to complete classes, as ordered within 90 days; not appearing for chemical testing on numerous occasions; failure to provide proof of attendance at an AA meeting, ordered as a sanction for alcohol use in June; and failure to make payments on probation fees due by March 23 nor a $500 fine that was due by Nov. 23.

Stevie R. Waln, 23, of Valentine failed to appear for arraignment on a Class 3 misdemeanor count of driving under suspension/before reinstated, alleged Oct. 4 in Clearwater. Taylor ruled Abler may file motion for arrest warrant.

Edward D. Lundstrom, 63, of Stanton failed to appear for arraignment on waiverable charge of criminal trespass, alleged Nov. 18, in Elgin. The case was continued to Jan. 6, 2021.

Sergio Martinez, 32, of Clearwater, was set for a pretrial hearing at 11:30 a.m., on two counts alleged July 15, DUS and no operator’s license, both Class 3 misdemeanors. His attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, filed a motion to withdraw from the case Tuesday, Dec. 15, citing a complete breakdown of the attorney/client relationship.

At 11: 54 a.m. Wednesday morning, Taylor noted Martinez had failed to appear, issuing an arrest warrant with a $3,000. 10% cash bond. In the afternoon, Taylor allowed Klein’s withdrawal and granted the defendant’s request to speak with Klein or hire a different attorney. The case is continued to Jan. 20, 2021.

Pepper W. Marchant, 22, of Neligh faced Taylor for pretrial hearing on five Class 1 misdemeanor counts, Count I, assault public officer; counts II and III, third-degree assault; Count IV, resist arrest; and Count V, obstruct police officer.

Marchant, who is represented by Figueroa, reached a plea agreement with Abler. In return for his no contest pleas to counts I, II, III and V, and his agreement to pay restitution, Abler dismissed Count IV. Taylor ordered a pre-sentence investigation report and set sentencing Feb. 17, 2021.

A bond review hearing was also held. Marchant’s bond was amended to $10,000, personal recognizance.