Two appear in county court on felony DUI charges

Raymond Bringewatt, 21, Antelope County Jail, waived his right to a preliminary hearing when he appeared before the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday, March 3.

Taylor bound him over to Antelope County district court, where he is set for arraignment March 31. Bond, in the amount of $50,000, 10% cash, is continued. He is represented by Antelope County public defender Melissa Figueroa of Norfolk.

Bringewatt is charged with two counts, alleged Feb. 20, Count I, driving under the influence, third offense (refusal), a Class 3A felony; and Count II, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class IV felony.

Bringewatt was arrested in Neligh on numerous charges, by a Nebraska State Patrol officer, who responded to a report of a vehicle with no plates that was being driven recklessly on Highway 275, according to a probable-cause affidavit filed by the officer. The 2008 Dodge Nitro had no registration or insurance on file, the defendant’s license was suspended/revoked and he had two warrants. According to the affidavit, the defendant refused both a preliminary breath test and later a chemical test of his breath at the Antelope County Jail.

Michael G. Loy, 51, of Elgin appeared for arraignment on a count of DUI, third offense (.15 grams or more), a Class 3A felony alleged Feb. 19 in Elgin. Preliminary hearing is set March 17, with bond, in the amount of $25,000. 10%, continued.

After a bond hearing, Taylor ordered Loy be allowed a $25,000 personal recognizance bond once a bed is available at an inpatient treatment facility.

Loy is represented by Figueroa.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, filed by Antelope County sheriff Robert Moore, a welfare check request was received after a State of Nebraska Road Department truck, driven by Loy, was wrecked. Loy refused a preliminary breath test but submitted to a DataMaster test when he was booked at the law enforcement center, testing .220.

David C. Ames, 27, of Omaha appeared for sentencing on a count of violating probation ordered in March last year for a conviction of DUI committed in June 2019.

Taylor extended his probation one year. She ordered him to submit to testing in a call-in program “so the defendant is tested randomly and often.” Ames is also ordered obtain an updated alcohol evaluation and submit to 120 days of continuous alcohol monitoring in the CAM Program, the first 60 days immediately. The remaining 60 days will be served at the discretion of his probation officer.

He was represented by Figueroa.

Matthew C. Klabenes, 46, of Neligh appeared in front of Taylor for sentencing on a Class 3 misdemeanor, allowing unauthorized person to drive. He was fined $250, ordered to pay $96.53 costs and placed on probation for three months. As part of his probation order, Klabenes was ordered to obtain an evaluation for chemical dependency, within 30 days; complete an offender assessment, at his own expense; and pay $130 probation fees.

Klabenes was represented by Jason Doele of Norfolk.

Matthew F. Brandt, 34, of Royal faced Taylor for arraignment on two counts alleged Jan. 28 in Orchard, Count I, leave scene of a property-damage accident, a Class 2 misdemeanor; and count II, operating a motor vehicle during period of suspension/revocation, a Class 3 misdemeanor.

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

Taylor signed a warrant March 4 for the arrest of Edward D. Lundstrom, 63, of Stanton. Lundstrom twice failed to appear for arraignment on a count of second-degree criminal trespass, a Class 3 misdemeanor alleged Nov. 18, 2020.