Judge arraigns nine in Antelope County district court

The Honorable Mark Johnson presided over the arraignment of several defendants Wednesday, April 27, in the Antelope County district court in Neligh, including three teenagers charged in connection with March 21 break-ins at two Neligh businesses, Neligh Vape Shop and the Fit Stop.

Trinity Graham, 18, accompanied by his court-appointed attorney, Brad Montag of Norfolk, pleaded not guilty to counts I and II, burglary, Class 2A felonies, and Count III, a Class 4 felony, theft by unlawful taking, more than $1,500. Jury trial is set July 18, with a pretrial hearing on the June 29 docket. If convicted, Graham faces up to a maximum 20 years in prison on the burglary charges and up to two years and/or a $10,000 fine on the theft charge. Johnson continued Graham’s $25,000 personal recognizance bond and reinstated an 8 p.m. curfew that had been removed the previous week by county court judge Donna Taylor.

Montag argued the reason for Taylor’s amendment was his client participation in Legion baseball. Montag also requested Graham be allowed to participate in upcoming family camping trips. After some consideration, Johnson modified curfew to allow exception for baseball purposes only and only if a parent is present. Montag again raised a question regarding camping.

“No other purpose,” Johnson answered.

Harley Snyder, 19, of Oakdale appeared with his court-appointed attorney, Frederick Bartell of Norfolk. He pleaded not guilty to the same three felony counts as his co-defendant and faces the same potential penalties if convicted. Jury trial is set July 18, with pretrial hearing set June 29. Bartell asked for his client’s curfew to be extended to 10 p.m., to assist his father with work. Johnson continued $25,000 PR bond with the extended curfew.

A third co-defendant, Christopher W. Robinett, 19, of Neligh appeared with Antelope County public defender Patrick Carney of Norfolk. He also pleaded not guilty to the same three counts. Jury trial is set July 18 and pretrial hearing, May 25. Bond is continued. Although Robinett also had a $25,000 PR bond, he remained in custody. One of the conditions of his release was residing with his brother at Hartington. Carney told the judge that the brother couldn’t make it work and he had been unable to locate an alternate place for his client to stay. Robinett was remanded to Moore’s custody.

Andrew F. Sternberg, 32, of Creighton faced Johnson for arraignment on two Class 2A felony counts, theft by unlawful taking, more than $5,000, and unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, more than $5,000. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison on each count. He entered not guilty pleas to both counts. Jury trial is set July 18, pretrial conference, May 25. Bond is continued at $25,000, 10% cash. Sternberg is represented by Carney.

Andrew J. Stephenson, 20, of Richland, Washington, appeared alongside his attorney, Frankie Hass of Omaha, to be arraigned on a Class 4 felony, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), and two infractions, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, all alleged Dec. 23, 2021, following an accident east of Oakdale on Highway 275. Penalty, upon conviction of the felony charge, includes up to two years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. Stephenson pleaded not guilty. Jury trial for the felony is set July 18, with a bench trial on the infractions following immediately. Pretrial hearing and a hearing on a motion to suppress are set June 29. Bond, in the amount of $10,000, 10%, posted Jan. 7, is continued.

William L. Knievel, 69, of Neligh appeared for arraignment on a Class 3A felony, assault on a police officer, and three misdemeanor charges, obstructing police, obstructing government operations and disturbing the peace, all alleged March 29 outside the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center in Neligh. He pleaded not guilty to all four counts. Jury trial is set July 18, pretrial, May 25. Bond in the amount of $20,000, 10%, posted April 6, is continued. Knievel is represented by Carney.

Jose J. Gonzales, 39, of Clearwater appeared beside Carney for arraignment on seven counts, counts I through IV, Class 3A felonies, attempted second-degree assault; counts V and VI, Class 1 misdemeanors, intentional domestic assault and third-degree assault; and Count VII, a Class 3 misdemeanor, willful reckless driving. If convicted, Gonzales faces up to three years in prison and/or $10,000 fines on each of the felony counts, up to one year and/or $1,000 fine, each, on counts V and VI and up to three months imprisonment and/or $500 fine and up to one year revocation of his driver’s license on Count VII. Gonzales pleaded not guilty to all seven counts. Jury trial is set July 18, with pretrial hearing on May 25. Bond is continued in the amount of $25,000, 10%, with modification to extend 8 p.m. curfew to 10 p.m. for church events.

The charges stem, according to a probable-cause affidavit filed by Antelope County sheriff Robert Moore, from a 911 call received from a “frantic female” March 11. The caller indicated an incident that allegedly started at a Holt County residence and proceeded into Antelope County on Sargent Road, where the defendant allegedly tried to ram the alleged victims’ vehicle multiple times.

Sammie M. Diaz, 43, of Clovis, New Mexico, appeared with his attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, for further arraignment on a Class 3 felony, theft, more than $1,500.

He pleaded not guilty. Jury trial is set July 18, with pretrial conference set June 29. Bond posted March 30, is continued in the amount of $10,000, 10%.

Diaz was arrested by Moore, Oct. 29, 2014, for the alleged theft of a trailer from Lazy T Tire in Orchard. The trailer, valued at $9,800, was recovered in Holt County. He was bound over to district court in January 2015, scheduled to appear for arraignment in February 2015.

He did not appear. He again failed to appear in March 2015 and a warrant was issued, with bond subsequently forfeited. He testified last month that he had been incarcerated in another jurisdiction at the time.

Tori A. Wooters, 26, of Neligh appeared for arraignment on Count I, possession of a controlled substance, and Count II, tampering with physical evidence, both Class 4 felonies; Count III, driving under the influence of drugs, and Count IV, refusal to submit to chemical test, first offense, both Class W misdemeanors; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. Conviction of counts I and II carry penalties up to two years in prison and/or up to $10,000 fines; counts III and IV, up to 60 days in jail, with a minimum seven days, a $500 fine and a six-month revocation of driver’s license; and Count V, a $100 fine.

Wooters pleaded not guilty to all five counts. Jury trial is set July 18 on counts I through IV, with a bench trial to immediately follow on the infractions. Pretrial hearing is set May 25. Carney asked for clarification of Wooter’s bond. There was confusion whether it had been set, in county court, at 10% of $1,500, $10,000 or $15,000. Johnson questioned the defendant about her residence and who else resided there. She named a man and her two children, ages 3 and 4. The judge then amended bond to $10,000, personal recognizance, and reminded her that terms of probation in another county remained in effect. She was returned to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Robert Moore, pending release on bond.

Justin M. Golter, 46, of Orchard appeared for pretrial hearing on charges alleged Aug. 20, 2020 – Count I, possession of methamphetamine, with intent to deliver (two ounces), a Class 1D felony; Count II, possession of meth, a Class 4 felony and counts III and IV, theft by receiving stolen property, $1,500 to $5,000, Class 4 felonies. A defense motion for continuance was granted. Pretrial conference is continued to May 25 and jury trail, to July 18. Bond, posted Oct. 20, 2021, in the amount of $50,000, 10%, is continued. He is represented by Carney.