Antelope County judge handles arraignment of 15 individuals

The Honorable Donna Taylor handled arraignment procedures for 15 defendants when she presided from the bench in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on July 21, for the only county court session held during the month.

Anthony Williams, 29, of Wayne appeared to be arraigned on two counts. Charges filed by Antelope County prosecutor Joe Abler on July 14 included obstructing government operations, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor, both alleged June 27 in Clearwater.

Williams initially waived his right to counsel and entered guilty pleas to both counts. Williams told Taylor he was at the Clearwater concert and "drank too much alcohol."

Abler called Antelope County Sheriff Robert Moore to the witness stand. Upon Abler's questioning, Moore said there were five arrests that night, four of them originating from the Clearwater Rodeo. Although he couldn't immediately recall the specific Clearwater incident the defendant was arrested for, Moore testified Williams had not cooperated with booking at the jail, kicking the door and yelling, to the point that a potential inmate from Stanton had to be turned away due to William's actions and several bookings had to be delayed to the following morning.

Williams had no question while Moore was on the stand, but later told the judge, "He may have had me mixed up with another book in, on the other hand, I was intoxicated."

Abler recalled Moore to the stand, asking him to clarify events at the jail. Moore answered, "There was another brought in after – in detox. Believe it or not, he was worse than Williams. Both created a heck of a night, awakening inmates at the other end of the jail who began screaming."

Abler was then granted permission to approach the bench, after which he requested the case be continued in order to review charges filed, alleging possible assault charges.

Taylor told Williams, "We are going back to the beginning...to square one."

She said Abler may have more charges to file in the case and inferred the defendant may want to reconsider his waiver of right to attorney.

She continued arraignment until Aug. 18, with bond, in the amount of $4,000, 10% cash, filed June 28, also continued.

Then she apologized to Williams, who indicated a desire not to miss more work than necessary.

"So sorry, this is not the way we usually like things to happen but sometimes it does."

Abler promised to send Williams a letter within a few days, including any new charges, so he could make arrangements with his employer.

Dominac J. Donahey, 21, of Lincoln faced Taylor for arraignment on two counts, third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor, alleged June 26 at a Clearwater concert. If convicted, he would face fines and/or jail terms up to one year on the assault charge and up to 90 days on disturbing the peace, in addition to restitution. Donahey pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Aug. 18. Bond posted June 30, in the amount of $4,000, 10%, is continued. Donahey is represented by Antelope County public defender Melissa Figueroa.

Grant W. Buck, 20, of Albion appeared for arraignment on two counts, alleged June 26, in Clearwater, Count I, obstruct government operations, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and Count II, disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor. Possible penalties, if convicted, include fines and up to one year in jail for Count I and up to 90 days in jail on Count II. Buck requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed Figueroa. Further arraignment is set Aug. 4. Bond posted June 30, in the amount of $5,000, 10%, is continued.

Alizae J. Mejia, 18, of Plainview waived his right to counsel and pleaded guilty to a Class 3 misdemeanor count of minor in possession of alcohol, first offense, committed June 27 at a concert in Clearwater. After Taylor reviewed his lack of a criminal history and questioned Mejia about the offense and his work, she fined him $300 and taxed him $50 costs.

"I should impound your license for 30 days but I'm not going to," Taylor told him. "It looks like you are pretty grown up."

A 16-year-old Humphrey youth appeared on a second-offense MIP charge, accompanied by his father. After waiving his right to counsel, the youth admitted committing the offense June 26 in Clearwater.

Taylor placed him on probation for six months, including 40 hours community service and ordered him to undergo an alcohol evaluation at his own expense and follow recommendations. He was assessed $46 costs.

Callie J. Kraft appeared for arraignment on five counts, Count I, driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, and Count II, refusal to submit to chemical test, first offense, Class W misdemeanors; Count III, obstructing a peace officer, Count IV, obstruct government operations and Count V, third-degree assault, Class 1 misdemeanors. The offenses were allegedly committed June 1, in Clearwater.

If convicted, Kraft faces up a $500 fine and/or a minimum seven days, up to 60 days in jail for counts I and II; and up to a $1,000 fine and/or one year in jail for each of counts III, IV and V. Kraft was granted a continuance to consult with an attorney.

Taylor asked if she would ask the court to appoint one or if she intended to hire one. Kraft replied, "I don't know yet." The judge set further hearing for Aug. 4. Bond, in the amount of $10,000, 10%, filed June 2, is continued. Kraft was arrested by Moore, who had received a phone call reporting a woman slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle on Clearwater's Main Street. According to Moore's probable-cause affidavit, after unsuccessful attempts to awaken Kraft, he used an "unlocking rod" to open a window and was eventually able to get the defendant to respond.

According to Moore, she subsequently attempted to put the running vehicle in gear. He was able to shut the vehicle off and remove the keys. Moore called for assistance to place Kraft in his patrol unit. She was eventually transported to the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center by a Neligh police officer, where she refused a breath test and refused to cooperate with jailers, allegedly spitting towards one and kicking another.

Casey N. Fulgium, 35, of Conroe, Texas, appeared for arraignment on a count of third-degree domestic assault, alleged July 16 in Neligh. If convicted of the Class 1 misdemeanor, Fulgium faces a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in jail. He requested a continuance to consult an attorney.

Further arraignment is set Aug. 18. Bond in the amount of $10,000, 10%, is continued as well.

Fulgium was arrested July 16 by a Neligh police officer who was called to a domestic disturbance at a Main Street apartment. The incident was reported to police by a Texas relative, who had been contacted by Fulgium's daughter, according to the officer's probable-cause affidavit.

Mathew Beard, 31, of Petersburg appeared for arraignment on a third-degree assault charge, alleged May 17. Potential penalty for conviction of the Class 1 misdemeanor is up to $1,000 fine and/or up to one year imprisioment. He pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Aug. 18. Beard is represented by Joel Carlson of Norfolk.

Damien M. Knight, 21, of Neligh appeared for arraignment on two counts, leave scene of property-damage accident, a Class 2 misdemeanor, and reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor, alleged May 28, northwest of Elgin, one and one-half mile west of the Highway 14/841 intersection. Knight requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor found him indigent and appointed Figueroa. Further arraignment is set Aug. 4.

A Hall County man was back in the Antelope County courtroom last week, to answer charges of violation of probation charges related to a 2017 conviction for driving under the influence, third offense. As part of his sentence, Jessie J. Tobin, 33, was ordered to serve three-years on probation and his driver's license revoked for three years. In June 2019, the probation was extended by one year after he was convicted of driving under suspension in Hall County. He was also sentenced to probation there, and his license was revoked for 15 years. Last July, after Tobin again admitted violating the probation, Taylor ruled probation continue until all fees are paid.

A revocation of probation motion was again filed by Abler on June 7, citing his arrest in December 2020 by Kearney police on felony driving under suspension charges; as of the date of filing, Tobin's $1,000 fine, along with other fees totaling $145 remained unpaid.

Tobin requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor found him indigent and appointed Figueroa. The hearing was continued to Aug. 18.

Destiny C. Detlefsen, 25, of Neligh failed to appear for the second time for arraignment on a count of allowing a dog to run at large May 20 in Neligh. Taylor ruled the Neligh city attorney, James McNally, could file motion for an arrest warrant. Detlefsen was notified. She pleaded guilty Friday, by waiver, and was fined $25 and $49 costs.