Ewing woman bound over to district court on felony allegations

A 40-year-old Ewing woman, who is accused of pouring gasoline on the door of a home that was occupied by six children has waived her right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over to the Holt County district court by the Honorable Kale Burdick last week in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill.

Jessica J. Snyder, who is charged with Count I, terroristic threats, a Class 3A felony; Count II, attempted arson, a Class 2A felony; Count III, criminal mischief, more than $5,000, a Class 4 felony; and Count IV, intentional child abuse, no injury, a Class 3A felony, all alleged May 12 at rural Ewing, is set for arraignment in the district courtroom Aug. 29.

A written waiver and not guilty plea were filed on Snyder’s behalf Aug. 15 by her attorney, Justin Kalemkiarian from the Berry Law Firm in Lincoln. Bond posted May 16, in the amount of $75,000, 10% cash, is continued.

Snyder was arrested during the early morning hours of May 13. According to a probable-cause affidavit filed by Steven Binkerd, an investigator with the Holt County sheriff’s office, he responded to a report, just before midnight May 12, that alleged Snyder had attempted to gain entrance to the rural residence, through both the front and back doors, gained entry to a back porch and opened a freezer, after she entered a garage and allegedly poured motor oil into the fuel tank of a pickup truck. She allegedly left the garage carrying a gas can and a hammer and “dumped gasoline all over the front door.” Oily handprints were found on the back door.

The adult resident was not home but his children, ages 6 to 15, were inside the residence at the time.

The allegations were investigated by Holt County officers and Nebraska State Patrol officers.

Burdick sentenced Daniel M. Randall, 27, of Norfolk to 30 days in the Holt County Jail for a Class 1 misdemeanor count of shoplifting, committed in December 2020. He was given credit for 23 days previously served and was taxed $305.21 costs of prosecution.

In March 2021, Randall had pleaded guilty and agreed to pay $30 restitution to Larry’s Package & Liquor in O’Neill, per terms of a plea agreement with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly, who amended the complaint, striking three of four prior convictions. Randall failed to appear for sentencing in June 2021 and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The warrant was served July 23 this year.

Gage G. Stokey, 19, of Lincoln pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a pair of charges, possession/consumption of alcohol by a minor, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and possession of false identification, an infraction. Stokey was fined $300 and $50, respectively, and taxed $50 costs. He was cited by an O’Neill officer July 17.