Rock collecting puts Pierce couple in front of judge

A. Jared Blevins, 36, of Pierce faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last week for arraignment on a Class 4

felony, possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, alleged May 14.

Blevins requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor found him indigent and appointed Brad Montag of Norfolk and set preliminary hearing for July 21.

A bond hearing was also held. Bond, in the amount of $10,000, 10% cash, filed May 16, and subsequently revoked June 8, was reinstated with an additional condition for no contact with his wife and co-defendant, Jennifer Blevins.

A motion for revocation was filed by Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler, after Blevins was arrested on allegations of felony assault of Jennifer Blevins in Pierce County.

Jennifer Blevins, 35, also requested a court-appointed attorney when she faced Taylor for arraignment on a possession of meth charge. Taylor found her indigent and appointed public- defender Melissa Figueroa. Preliminary hearing is set July 21, with $10,000, 10% bond, posted May 15, continued.

The couple was arrested by Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore, after he responded to a citizen’s report of a vehicle following a man who was walking on a country road north of Oakdale.

According to a probable-cause affidavit filed by Moore, the couple claimed to be collecting rocks. Neither had a valid driver’s license, with A. Jared Blevins’ license suspended and Jennifer Blevins’ license expired in 2017. A search of the vehicle revealed a white crystal substance in the glove box, which field tested positive for meth.