Attempt to resist arrest lands O'Neill man in Holt County Jail

Marcos Y. Morales Ruano, 20, of O’Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill last Tuesday, Jan. 19, for a preliminary hearing.

He was charged with, Count I, minor in possession of alcohol, ages 19/20, a Class 3 misdemeanor; Count II, attempted third-degree assault on an officer, a Class 4 felony; and Count III, resisting arrest, a Class 1 misdemeanor, all alleged Dec. 31, in O’Neill.

Pursuant to a plea bargain with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly, Morales Ruano pleaded guilty to Count I and an amended Count III, attempted resisting arrest, a Class 2 misdemeanor. Kelly dismissed Count II. The agreement included a joint recommendation for a 14-day jail sentence.

Burdick sentenced Morales Ruano to a $250 fine on Count I and 14 days in the Holt County Jail on Count III, with credit for one day previously served. He was taxed $50 costs of prosecution.

Morales Ruano was represented by Martin Klein of Neligh. Maria Chavez served as interpreter.

Korban A. Palmer, 25, of Elgin pleaded guilty, by waiver, to two Holt County offenses, speeding, six to 10 miles per hour over the posted limit, an infraction; and no proof of ownership, a Class 3 misdemeanor. He was fined $25 and $50, respectively, and taxed $49 costs.

Two additional charges, a second count of no proof of ownership and unlawful/fictitious display of plates, were dismissed, pursuant to a plea agreement offered by Kelly.

Timothy J. Johnson, 45, of O’Neill pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was fined $100 and $49 costs. Johnson was cited by an O’Neill police officer Dec. 6 on Highway 20 in O’Neill.