Neligh woman accused of Medicaid, food stamp benefit fraud

Tiffany Beckman, 35, of Neligh faced the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County Court in Neligh last Wednesday, Aug. 4, on allegations of obtaining Medicaid assistance by fraud between Nov. 1, 2018, and April 30, 2020, (in an aggregate in excess of $1,500) and obtaining Nebraska Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits by fraud between Nov. 1, 2018, and Aug. 31, 2020, (in an aggregate in excess of $1,500). The charges were filed by Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler last month.

Both charges are Class 4 felonies. Each carries a potential sentence of up to $10,000 fine and/or up to two years’ incarceration, with up to one year of post-release supervision.

Beckman requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed public defender Melissa Figueroa and continued arraignment to Aug. 18.

Raymond F. Poli, 44, of Neligh faced Taylor on two counts alleged July 15 in Neligh, Count I, first-degree false imprisonment, a Class 3 felony; and Count II, third-degree domestic assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Count 1 carries penalties of up to a $10,000 fine and/or up to three years imprisonment, with up to 18 months post-release supervision and Count II, up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to one year in jail.

Poli requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed Figueroa and set preliminary hearing Aug. 18. Bond posted July 22, in the amount of

$10,000, 10%, is continued.

A bond review hearing was held after a woman in the gallery addressed the judge, asking that a no contact condition be removed.

“We’ve been together 17 years and he has never struck me,” Lisa Dugal said.

The defendant and Figueroa left the room for a conference, after which Dugal was called to the stand to testify.

She refuted several statements made in a probable-cause affidavit filed by a Neligh police officer, including that she had been locked in the bedroom and that coffee had been thrown at her by the defendant. She said the couple had “used alcohol” on the day of the incident and she didn’t recall exactly what she told the officer.

“I’d like him to come home,” she said.

Taylor modified bond, over Abler’s objection, allowing Poli contact with Dugal and her granddaughter who resides with them.

“Miss Dugal, you were under oath,” the judge said. “You testified to one thing, told officer another.”

“You can go home,” Taylor told the defendant.

Brian K. Bittner, 42, of Niobrara was granted continuance until Aug. 18 for his first appearance on a Class 4 felony charge, fraudulent insurance act, $1,500 to $5,000, alleged May 28, 2019.

The charge was filed last month by Abler. Bittner is represented by Bradley Montag of Norfolk. Taylor signed a warrant for the arrest of Justin M. Golter, 46, of Fremont, on allegations of four felonies that took place in Antelope County one year ago.

A complaint filed by Abler last week includes a Class 1A felony count, possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver (quantity of 10 grams or more); a Class 4 felony count, possession of meth; and two Class 4 felony counts of theft by receiving stolen property, each more than $1,500 but less than $5,000; all alleged Aug. 23, 2020.

Abler’s motion for the arrest warrant was supported by a probable-cause affidavit signed by Nebraska State Patrol officer Brandon Viterna, regarding his August 2020 arrest of Golter, who then resided near Orchard, for outstanding warrants in Lancaster and Dodge counties.

The affidavit alleges Golter was towing a Norstar Iron Bull 16-foot dump trailer that was allegedly determined to be stolen out of Council Bluffs, Iowa. A Honda four-wheeler loaded on the trailer was allegedly stolen from Platte County. Viterna also reported finding the meth, cash, a scale and paraphernalia during an inventory of Golter’s 2006 Ford F150 pickup.