Mississippi man bags costly turkey in Holt County

William H. Allen, 71, of Clarksdale, Mississippi, filed a waiver of appearance in Holt County court last week for shooting a turkey that was on private property, from the roadway, an offense that cost the man $1,249.

He pleaded guilty to Count I, hunting without permission, and Count II, shooting from roadway, both Class 3 misdemeanors. He was fined $200 for Count I and $500 for Count II, assessed $500 in liquidated damage and $49 costs. Allen was cited April 22 by a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officer near 485 Avenue and Lumber Road in rural Holt County.

Megan F. Masat, 26, of Ewing faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on May 10, for sentencing. Masat was sentenced to two days in the Holt County Jail, with credit for one day previously served, fined $500, a nine-month term of probation, including $280 in fees, and her driver’s license was revoked for one year on a conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class W misdemeanor. She was fined $100 for refusal to submit to pretest, a Class 5 misdemeanor, and taxed $105 costs of prosecution. According to a probable-cause affidavit filed by a Holt County deputy, Masat struck three parked vehicles as she was leaving a party in Ewing during the early morning hours of Christmas Day, 2021. She was arrested after receiving medical clearance at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital, where she was transported by ambulance. Masat was represented by Ron Temple of Norfolk.

Jonathon P. Klintworth, 31, of Bertrand waived his right to counsel and pleaded guilty, pursuant to a plea bargain, to possession of marijuana, one ounce or less, first offense, and possession of paraphernalia, an infraction. Burdick fined him $300 and $100, respectively, and taxed him $51 costs. Holt County attorney Brent Kelly dismissed a count of failure to appear/comply. Klintworth was cited by a Holt County deputy, in O’Neill on Dec. 10, 2021. He failed to appear (or otherwise comply with citation) Jan. 25 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The warrant was served April 28 and Klintworth filed $1,000 personal recognizance bond.

Austin L. Dusenberry, 23, of Neligh appeared on Count I, nonresident violation revoked/impound order, a Class 2 misdemeanor; Count II, no proof of ownership, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and Count III, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor, all committed Jan. 25 in O’Neill. He pleaded no contest to all three counts. Burdick found him guilty and fined him $250, $25 and $150, respectively, and assessed $50 costs. An O’Neill officer noted that Dusenberry claimed to have purchased the 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix the previous day but did not have a bill of sale nor proof of ownership; and that his Iowa driver’s license had a revocation/suspension order. Dusenberry was represented by Holt County public defender Rodney Smith.

Drake D. Ruegge, 19, of O’Neill was sentenced by Burdick on May 3 for DUI (.15+), to 10 days in the county jail, a $500 fine and one-year revocation of his driver’s license. Ruegge was convicted of the Sept. 19, 2021, offense on March 8, pursuant to a plea agreement. In return, Kelly dismissed a count of obstructing a peace officer and agreed to file no additional charges related to the incident. He was arrested on the edge of O’Neill by a Holt County deputy, who responded to a 911 call, with assistance from an O’Neill police officer. According to a probable-cause affidavit filed by the deputy, Ruegge attempted to flee on foot when he was told he was going to be arrested. He stopped after running about 40 feet as officers threatened taser use. Ruegge was represented by Martin Klein of Neligh.

Frederik J. Beukman, 66, of Burke, South Dakota, pleaded guilty, by waiver, to failure to have fuel permit, a Class 4 misdemeanor. He was fined $100 and assessed $49 costs. He was cited April 22 near the Atkinson ethanol plant by a Nebraska State Patrol carrier enforcement officer.