Montana man appears for first hearing on felony child abuse

Two men appeared in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh for arraignment or first hearing last Wednesday, March 2.

Steven H. Habegger, 18, Antelope County Jail, faced the Honorable Donna Taylor on a Class 3A felony count of child abuse and three Class 1 misdemeanors, contribute to delinquency of a child, debauching a minor and cruel mistreatment of an animal, all alleged Feb. 10 at a Neligh motel. If convicted, Habegger faces up to a $10,000 fine and up to three years in prison on the felony count and up to a $1,000 fine and/or one year imprisonment on each of the misdemeanor charges. Preliminary hearing is set March 16.

Habegger’s court-appointed attorney, Melissa Figueroa of Norfolk, requested a bond reduction, indicating her client was from Montana, where his only criminal history was reckless driving, and he wanted to return there to reside with his parents who said they would get him to court appearances in Antleope County. Abler objected, on grounds that the defendant “is not from this state…he traveled from Montana to have sex with the young lady.”

He said more serious charges may be filed and indicated cases are “under advisement” in Cedar County. Abler said he was not aware if charges had been filed in Cedar County.

The judge denied the request for bond reduction, stating, “At this time, it is too soon to look at reducing bond, there may be more,” she told him. “You are facing some serious charges probably not limited to Antelope County.”

She added that if bond was posted, he would not be allowed to leave the state without a court order.

According to an affidavit filed in Cedar County by a Nebraska State Patrol investigator, the defendant and the 12-year-old alleged victim met on the internet about a year ago, and he traveled to Creighton to meet her. The first sexual encounter was alleged at a Hartington hotel in December 2021. When the alleged victim later moved to Antelope County, he allegedly followed. According to the affidavit, although the girl initially told him she was 16, he was allegedly aware of her age at the time of the encounter.

Xavier W. Hobbs, 20, of Ewing appeared for arraignment on two Class 3 misdemeanors alleged Jan. 29, on Highway 275, two miles east of Clearwater, near on the Elkhorn River bridge. Charges include Count I, willful reckless driving, and Count II, minor in possession of alcohol. Hobbs requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed public defender Melissa Figueroa of Norfolk. Further arraignment is set March 16.