Holt County judge hands out fines, signs warrant

Karsen L. Peterson, 19, of Chambers appeared in front of the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill, on Tuesday, Feb. 8, for a hearing on 13 counts included in a complaint filed Aug. 3. Peterson changed his plea to guilty on seven of the charges, a Class W misdemeanor and six infractions. Holt County prosecutor Brent Kelly dismissed the remaining six. Burdick fined Peterson $500, placed him on probation for six months, with $210 probation fees, and revoked his driver’s license for 60 days on Count I, driving under the influence of drugs, first offense. He fined him $25 for failing to use turn signal, $300 for first-offense possession of marijuana, one ounce or less, and $100 each on four counts of possession of drug paraphernalia. Kelly dismissed two misdemeanor counts, no valid registration and minor in possession of alcohol, and four infractions, one count of failing to signal and three counts of possessing paraphernalia. He was assessed $55 costs of prosecution. Peterson was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith.

Peterson was arrested by an O’Neill police officer July 3. A juvenile passenger was cited for possession of tobacco and released to his parents. No other contraband was found on the juvenile, according to an affidavit filed by the officer.

Corey W. Klassen, 26, of O’Neill appeared in front of Burdick for arraignment on a charge of third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Klassen pleaded no contest. Burdick judged him guilty, fined him $500 and taxed him $50 costs. Klassen was arrested by O’Neill officers who were called to a physical disturbance at Klassen’s residence Dec. 8, 2021. Klassen was represented Smith.

McKenzie A Desive, 18, of O’Neill faced Burdick for arraignment on three counts. She waived her right to counsel and pleaded guilty to a pair of possession of drug paraphernalia counts, committed Dec. 17 in O’Neill. Burdick fined her $100 for each and assessed $49 costs. Kelly dismissed a count of possession of marijuana, one ounce or less, first offense.

Chad A. Doiel, 45, of O’Neill pleaded guilty to a count of driving under suspension/before reinstated, a Class 3 misdemeanor committed Aug. 26, 2021. He was fined $100 and taxed $50 costs. Doiel was represented by Smith.

Jeffrey R. Wehrman, 35, of Ewing pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a Class 5 misdemeanor Nebraska Game and Parks violation, no habitat stamp. He was fined $50 and assessed $49 costs. Wehrman was cited by a Game and Parks officer at Dry Creek Wildlife Management Area for trapping fur-bearing animals without the habitat stamp.

Antoine J. Edwards Jr., 27, of Omaha, who was charged with two counts, DUS, subsequent offense, and improper lighting, failed to appear for arraignment. Kelly moved to revoke and forfeit bond and requested a bench warrant be issued. Burdick ordered bond revoked, with $270 held by the county forfeited. The judge signed a bench warrant Feb. 10, setting a new bond in the amount of $10,000, 10%.

According to a warrantless-arrest affidavit filed by an O’Neill police officer, Edwards was arrested Jan. 7 for DUS, fourth offense, and an outstanding Antelope County arrest warrant, after he was stopped for no headlights. He was released on bond the next morning.