Thirty-year-old given chance for turnaround

A 30-year-old O’Neill resident has been given the opportunity to have his year-old case transferred to drug court.

Mykel J. Brown withdrew his not guilty pleas to three Class 3A felony counts committed Oct. 7, 2020, possession of controlled substances - concentrated THC, methamphetamine and cocaine. He appeared before the Honorable Mark Kozisek in the Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill on Nov. 8.

Pursuant to a plea agreement reached with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly, Brown entered guilty pleas to the three counts and Kelly referred the case to North Central Problem Solving Court. In addition, Kelly dismissed two infraction counts, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.

Brown signed a contract with the problem-solving court, agreeing to many rules and regulations, including to pay an enrollment fee of $30 and monthly fees of $100 for the duration of the case, with his first appearance scheduled Nov. 15.

Sentencing is deferred, pending outcome of Brown’s participation in drug court. He was represented by court-appointed counsel, Bradley Ewalt of Norfolk.