Las Vegas man arrested, arraigned, sentenced in five-year-old Holt County court case

David A. Leiding, 36, of Las Vegas, Nevada (resided in Lincoln at time of arrest), appeared in front of the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill last Tuesday, May 17, on a November 2016 complaint.

Leiding, who was represented by Holt County public defender Rodney Smith, pleaded guilty to Count I, driving during revocation/impound, first offense, and Count III, no proof of financial responsibility, both Class 2 misdemeanors, pursuant to a plea agreement with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly. In return, Kelly dismissed Count II, no valid registration, and recommended fines only on the convictions. Burdick fined Leiding $300 and revoked his driver’s license for one year on Count I, $250 on Count III and taxed him $277.81 costs of prosecution ($225.81 of the costs were milage costs related to return of a warrant for the defendant’s arrest). Leiding was allowed to sit out fines and costs in the Holt County Jail.

Burdick granted a motion to forfeit $5,000, 10% cash, bond posted Aug. 10, 2021, by Alyssa M. Raney, 31, of Corona, California. The defendant did not appear for the hearing. Burdick further ordered that a warrant issued May 3 for Raney’s arrest remain in effect, with a bond amount increased to $50,000, 10%.

Raney was allowed to appear for arraignment electronically Feb. 1 and filed written not guilty pleas to nine counts, driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense; refusal to submit to preliminary breath test; refusal to submit to chemical test; obstructing a peace officer; false reporting; possession of drug paraphernalia; window tint violation; and speeding. Three counts were later dismissed as part of a plea deal and she signed written no contest pleas Feb. 15. She appeared virtually again March 1, when she indicated she was unsure if she wanted to proceed with the plea agreement and requested a one-week continuance to consider her options. Appearing virtually on March 8, she informed the court she wished to take the case to trial on the original 9-count complaint. The amended complaint was withdrawn. Raney, who was up to that point represented by Smith, requested new counsel. Smith was allowed to withdraw, with Ashley Boettcher of O’Neill subsequently appointed by Burdick. Raney was ordered to appear in person for pretrial hearing. She failed to appear.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, filed by an O’Neill police officer Aug. 30, 2021, Raney was arrested Aug. 27. The officer reported she refused to exit her vehicle and was uncooperative during the booking process, refusing to follow instructions, answer questions and sign documents. She bonded out the following afternoon.

Sheila R. Donohoe, 38, of O’Neill faced Burdick for sentencing on two counts. Burdick sentenced her to 30 days in the Holt County Jail, with credit for two days served previously and revoked her driver’s license for one year for Count I, driving under suspension, before reinstated, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and 30 days in jail for Count II, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; and assessed $50 costs. Donohoe waved her right to counsel Feb. 15 and pleaded no contest to Count I, reduced from a Class 1 misdemeanor by Kelly, and Count II, as charged. She was arrested Jan. 15 by an O’Neill police officer.

Joshua K. Carroll, 32, of Atkinson pleaded guilty to an amended count, driving during suspension/before reinstated, first offense, a Class 3 misdemeanor. He was fined $100 and taxed $50 costs. Carroll was cited by a Nebraska State Patrol trooper Feb. 1, east of the Page turnoff on Highway 20. He was represented by Smith.