Judge deals with tardy truant defendants

Hope M. Llanos, 32, of Schuyler failed to appear at her scheduled arraignment hearing in the Antelope County courtroom last Wednesday morning but showed up in the afternoon. The Honorable Donna Taylor allowed arraignment to proceed. Llanos pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial on a charge of interfering with government operations, a Class 1 misdemeanor, alleged Jan. 8 at the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center in Neligh. Pretrial hearing is set March 16. Llanos is represented by Antelope County public defender Melissa Figueroa.

Clenter L. Williams Sr., 42, of Minot, North Dakota, who was charged with a count of driving under suspension/before reinstated, did not appear. The defendant had previously provided a copy of his license to the county attorney and paid a $149 to cover fine and costs. Taylor treated the actions as a no contest plea and found Williams guilty. She waived $1 costs.

Tori A. Wooters, 26, of Albion, who had failed to appear in court Feb. 2 and Feb. 16, did not appear for a forfeiture of bond hearing. Taylor ordered bond be forfeited and a warrant that had been issued Feb. 17, but held by the court, be sent to the county sheriff to be served. The warrant includes a new bond of $10,000, 10% cash. Wooters is charged with five counts alleged Jan. 19, possession of methamphetamine and tampering with physical evidence, Class 4 felonies; driving under the influence of drugs and refusal to submit to a chemical test, Class W misdemeanors; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. She was arrested Jan. 19, southeast of Neligh on Highway 275, by a Nebraska State Patrol officer after called-in reports and his observance of erratic driving. She was released on 10% of a $1,500 bond Jan. 22. She is represented by Figueroa.

Michael D. Fox, 36, of Orchard failed to appear on a charge of littering, first offense, a Class 3 misdemeanor alleged Dec. 19, east of Brunswick on Highway 20. Taylor ruled the county attorney may file motion, affidavit and order for an arrest warrant. The judge noted the defendant had requested a trial on the charge that is waiverable.

Pretrial hearing for Kaleb A. Williams, 29, of Elgin was continued to March 16, on a Class 2 misdemeanor, no proof of financial responsibility, alleged Dec. 18, 2021. He is represented by Figueroa.

Korbyn L. Freeman, 22, of Norfolk pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a Class 2 misdemeanor, fail to show permit. Freeman was fined $150 and $49 costs. He also filed copy of a 2021 deer permit. Freeman was cited north of Tilden by a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officer Nov. 19, 2021.

Raymond F. Poli, 45, of Neligh was granted continuance, until April 6 for arraignment on a Class 3 misdemeanor charge of no operator’s license, alleged Jan. 21, in Neligh. Abler said Poli “was working to get his license back.”