Elgin man faces protection order violation, drug, weapon charges

Travis D. Mace, 35, of Elgin faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in two related cases last Wednesday, Feb. 3, during county court proceedings.

Mace requested court-appointed counsel. After holding an indigency hearing, Taylor appointed public defender Melissa Figueroa of Norfolk.

In the first case, Mace is charged with two felonies, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, a Class 3 felony, and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony, both alleged Jan. 30 in Neligh.

A bond review hearing was held. Taylor ruled bond in the amount of $25,000, 10% cash, remain the same.

In the second case, Mace is charged with violating a protection order, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

A bond review hearing was held, with Taylor reducing the original $25,000, 10%, bond in that case to $10,000, 10%, with conditions, including no contact with victim.

Further arraignment is set Feb. 17 for both cases.

According to probable-cause affidavits filed by an Antelope County deputy and a Nebraska State Patrol officer, officers responded to a 911 call from staff at Cubby's in Neligh, reporting Mace was in the convenience store, specifically prohibited per a protection order granted to an employee Jan. 25. Mace had left the store when officers arrived. A statement was taken from the holder of the protection order and officers searched, but were unable to locate Mace in the vicinity.

A couple hours later, a second 911 call alerted officials that Mace had just left the convenience store parking lot, heading north on L Street. Two Antelope County deputies responded, identified the vehicle and overhead lights were activated. The vehicle proceeded several blocks before stopping at a north P Street residence, where a passenger exited the vehicle and ran to the house. The officer ordered Mace to exit the vehicle, but he did not immediately comply. The deputy alleged the defendant was actively grabbing at something in the area of the center console, prompting the officer to draw his service revolver. Mace eventually complied and was arrested for the protection order violation.

The vehicle, a 2002 Suburban, was towed to the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center, where a search was conducted by the NSP trooper and a deputy, due to the odor of burnt marijuana, as well as to conduct a vehicle inventory.

Officers located a fixed-blade knife, with a five-inch blade in the center console. The trooper observed the console was held in place with wood screws and a portable drill with a corresponding bit was located near the driver's seat. Removing the screws, the officer located a hard sunglasses case hidden under the console. After field tests, substances inside the case were identified as methamphetamine and fentanyl, along with a vape pen and a pipe, allegedly containing partially burned marijuana and meth.

Alexander E. Huffman, 34, of Neligh appeared before Taylor for arraignment on a count of disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor alleged Jan. 1, at his Neligh home.

Huffman requested court-appointed counsel. After an indigency hearing, Figueroa was appointed. Further arraignment is set Feb. 17. Personal recognizance bond in the amount of $100 is continued.

Huffman was arrested after Neligh police was called to the residence twice within 15 minutes the night of Jan. 1, on complaints he was intoxicated and "out of control." He allegedly registered a breath test of .373 at the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center and became belligerent and uncooperative during booking procedures, according to a probable-cause affidavit filed by Neligh's chief of police, Mike Wright.

Chelsea L. Carman, 25, of Meadow Grove appeared on a disturbing the peace charge, alleged in Neligh, during the early morning hours of Jan. 1.

Carman requested court-appointed counsel. After holding an indigency hearing, Taylor appointed Figueroa. Further arraignment is set Feb. 17.

Donneceia D. McFarland, 34, of Oakdale entered a not guilty plea to a Class 1 misdemeanor count alleged Nov. 8, third-degree assault. She requested jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Feb. 17. McFarland is represented by Figueroa.