Plea deals resolve three Antelope County felony cases

Travis D. Mace, 35, of Orchard appeared in front of the Honorable Mark Johnson in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, for a pretrial hearing.

Mace was accused of four counts, Count I, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, a Class 3 felony; Count II, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a Class 4 felony; Count III, violation of protection order, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and Count IV, possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction.

A plea agreement was announced. Antelope County prosecutor Joe Abler dismissed counts I and IV in return for Mace’ guilty plea to counts II and III. The crimes were committed Jan. 30, in Neligh.

Johnson ordered a presentence investigation report and set sentencing June 30.

Johnson ordered Mace’ first bond, set at $25,000, 10% cash, Jan. 30 and filed March 9, be released. A second bond, set in conjunction with an arrest warrant issued March 24, in the amount of $50,000, 10%, is continued. Bond includes an order for no contact with the holder of the protection order.

Mace bonded out of the Antelope County Jail on March 2. He allegedly violated the bond terms when he was arrested in Stanton a week later, after Stanton County officials were notified of a reckless driver approaching Stanton on Highway 24.

He waived a preliminary hearing in Stanton County court April 14 and was slated for arraignment on six counts in the Stanton County district court May 3. Charges include possession of meth, resisting arrest, theft by receiving stolen property, criminal possession of a financial transaction device, driving under the influence of alcoholic liquor or drugs and refusal to submit to chemical test.

According to probable-cause affidavits filed in the Antelope County case, officers responded to a 911 call from staff at Cubby’s in Neligh, reporting Mace was in the convenience store, although specifically prohibited by a protection order that was granted to an employee Jan. 25. Mace had left the store by the time officers arrived, and they were unable to locate him in the vicinity.

About two 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.

According to the affidavits, officers found a fixed-blade knife, with a five-inch blade, while conducting an inventory of the vehicle, along with methamphetamine and fentanyl, a vape pen and a pipe containing partially burned marijuana.

Mace was remanded to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore, pending posting of bond. He is represented by Antelope County public defender Patrick Carney.

Mason R. Siems, 21, of Tilden, who appeared for pretrial hearing on two Class 1D felony counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, also reached a plea agreement with Abler. Per the agreement, the counts were amended to attempted possession of firearms, Class 2 felonies. Abler further agreed, in conjunction with Brown County, to file no additional charges related to the incident, but will be free to make recommendation at sentencing that is set June 30.

Johnson ordered a presentence investigation. A $10,000 personal-recognizance bond is continued. He is represented by Carney.

Raymond Bringewatt, 31, incarcerated, no home address listed, appeared for a pretrial hearing on nine counts, Count I, driving under the influence of alcoholic liquor, second offense, a Class 1 misdemeanor; Count II, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony; Count III, obstructing a police officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor; Count IV, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; Count V, no proof of ownership, a Class 3 misdemeanor; Count VI, driving during suspension/revocation/impoundment, a Class 3 misdemeanor; Count VII, speeding, an infraction; count VIII, possession of open alcohol container, an infraction; and Count IX, refusal to submit to a chemical test, a Class W misdemeanor.

A plea deal was announced. In return for the defendant’s guilty pleas to counts I and II, Abler dropped the remaining counts. An enhancement hearing was held, with Johnson finding sufficient evidence to enhance Count I. The judge ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing June 30. Bond, in the amount of $50,000, 10%, is continued.

Bringewatt, who is represented by Carney, was remanded to Moore’s custody, pending posting of bond.

Michael G. Loy, 51, of Elgin faced Johnson for arraignment on a on a count of DUI, (.15 grams or more), a Class 3A felony alleged Feb. 19 in Elgin. Pretrial hearing is set May 26, with a jury trial on Count I placed on the July 13 docket. Count II will be heard in a bench trial immediately following the jury trial. Bond, in the amount of $25,000. 10%, posted March 18, is continued.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, filed by Moore, a welfare check request was received after a State of Nebraska Road Department truck, allegedly 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.

Loy is represented by Carney.

Gregory Mott, 53, of Tilden was granted continuance of his pretrial hearing and a jury trial slated in May. Pretrial hearing is continued to May 26, with the trial now set July 13, on charges including terroristic threats, a Class 3A felony, and domestic assault, intentional, causing body injury, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

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 Carney.