Charges dropped against second man accused in vehicle theft

Charges have been dropped, at least for the time being, against the second of two men arrested for theft of a vehicle that was recovered near Clearwater last fall.

Christopher J. Alexander, 23, of Omaha was scheduled to appear for pretrial hearing on the felony count in Antelope County district court last Wednesday, Feb. 24, but the charge was dismissed, without prejudice, by Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler on Feb. 22. Bond in the amount of $10,000, 10% cash, filed Oct. 21, 2020, was released.

Alexander, who was set for jury trial March 15, was represented by court-appointed counsel, Martin Klein of Neligh.

“My office filed a dismissal without prejudice, which means the charges can be refiled against Mr. Alexander, if done…within the statute of limitations for the offense. I also dismissed the same charge against his co-defendant, without prejudice, last month,” Abler told the Advocate. “I am waiting on some follow-up investigation work to be done by the sheriff’s office and the authorities in Nevada, where the vehicle was stolen from. That has not been fully completed at this time and likely would not (be) done in time for trial.”

According to court records, a felony theft count against the co-defendant, Eliud A. Herrara-Cuevas, 21, of San Bernardino, California, was dismissed as part of a Jan 5 plea agreement. Herrara-Cuevas pleaded guilty to a second count, criminal mischief. He was sentenced by the Honorable Mark Johnson to 90 days in the Antelope County Jail.

The pair were arrested after Antelope County deputy Cameron Lehr, who was pulling out of Hi-Way Mart while on patrol Sept. 20, 2020, observed an unplated GMC Suburban passing another vehicle. Lehr conducted a traffic stop outside of town on Highway 275. Alexander, the driver, allegedly told Lehr he had title to the vehicle but could not produce a bill of sale. According to a probable-cause affidavit, filed by Lehr, a vehicle identification number check showed it was reported stolen.

Herrara-Cuevas, a passenger in the stolen Suburban, was arrested on the same felony charge, in addition to a Class 3 misdemeanor, criminal mischief, 0-$500, after he is alleged to have urinated in the back seat of deputy Shelby Keetle’s patrol unit while being transported to the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center in Neligh.

Donald E. Vickers, 55, of Electra, Texas, changed his previous not guilty plea to no contest on a felony driving under the influence count (third-offense, refusal), pursuant to a plea agreement. In return, Abler agreed to file no additional charges in the case and would not oppose a probation sentence, provided a presentence investigation report substantiated such sentence.

Johnson found Vickers guilty of the June 25 offense, ordered a PSI and set sentencing for April 28.

Bond, in the amount of $100,000, 10%, is continued. Vickers is represented by Klein.

Johnson arraigned two individuals who had been bound over from the county court the previous week.

Gregory W. Mott, 53, of Tilden entered not guilty pleas to a pair of crimes alleged Dec. 19, 2020, in Tilden, terroristic threats, a Class 3A felony, and domestic assault, intentional, causing body injury, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Pretrial conference is set March 31 and a jury trial, May 17. Bond, in the amount of $10,000, 10%, filed Dec. 21, is continued, including a condition for no contact with alleged victim, direct nor indirect. He is represented by Antelope County public defender Patrick Carney of Norfolk.

Mason R. Siems, 21, of Tilden entered not guilty pleas to two Class 1D felony counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, alleged Nov. 21, 2020. Pretrial hearing is set March 31 and a jury trial, May 17. According to a status report filed by Abler, a one-day trial is anticipated. A plea agreement has been offered.

A $10,000 personal recognizance bond is continued. Siems is represented by Carney.