Preliminary hearings set in Antelope County felony cases

Two defendants will face preliminary hearings on felony allegations April 20.

Tori A. Wooters, 26, of Albion appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last week, for arraignment in two related cases. The first case includes 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 failed to appear for arraignment Feb. 2, resulting in a warrant being issued for her arrest, forfeiture of bond and filing of Class 4 felony failure to appear charge in the second case. Wooters is represented by Antelope County public defender Melissa Figueroa of Norfolk. She was remanded to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Robert Moore, pending posting of bond.

Wooters was initially arrested Jan. 19, southeast of Neligh on Highway 275, by a Nebraska State Patrol officer after reports and his observance of erratic driving. She was released on 10% of a $1,500 bond Jan. 22. Taylor revoked the bond and ordered it forfeited March 2. The warrant, issued Feb. 17 with a new bond in the amount of $10,000, 10% cash, was served March 21.

William L. Knievel, 69, of Neligh faced Taylor for arraignment on four counts alleged the afternoon of March 29, Count I, third-degree assault on a police officer, a Class 3A felony; Count II, obstructing a police officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor; Count III, obstructing government operations, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and Count IV, disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor. Knievel requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor found him indigent and appointed Figueroa. Bond posted April 2, in the amount of $20,000, 10%, is continued.

Knievel was arrested at the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center in Neligh, after a scuffle, according to a probable-cause affidavit filed by Moore. A Nebraska State Patrol officer, a county deputy and a Neligh city police officer had responded to a call from a female at Knievel’s residence and, according to the affidavit, the defendant allegedly attempted to prevent officers from leaving his property with the female, then followed them to the LEC on foot. The sheriff indicated a Neligh police officer sustained a minor injury.

Ryan Lodge, 38, of Elgin requested modification of his bond in a case that includes a Class 1 misdemeanor, third-degree domestic assault, and a Class 3 misdemeanor, disturbing the peace, alleged April 3 at his Elgin residence. Antelope County prosecutor Joe Abler did not object. Taylor ordered the defendant may have contact with his family for purposes of first communion on Sunday, April 24, and to have contact with the children at baseball practices and games Arraignment is set May 18, with $10,000, 10%, bond posted April 4, icontinued. Lodge is represented by Martin Klein of Neligh.