Two arraigned in district court on multiple felony charges

Michael F. Doty, 29, of Page faced the Honorable Mark Johnson in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on Aug. 31 for arraignment on two Class 3A felony counts of making terroristic threats and a Class 3 misdemeanor count of disturbing the peace, all alleged June 28 in Orchard, following a residential fire in Page.

If convicted, Doty faces up to $10,000 fines and/or three years of incarceration for each of the felony counts and up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days for the misdemeanor. He pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial. Pretrial conference is set Nov. 4, via Zoom, in the Madison County courtroom. The jury trial is set Nov. 21 in the Antelope County courtroom.

Public defender Pat Carney asked for review of Doty’s bond, currently set at $20,000, 10% cash. He asked for modification of bond to allow Doty to begin a short-term residential drug treatment program. He said his client had completed a behavioral health evaluation and had secured a spot at Sunrise House in Norfolk, beginning Sept. 2. Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler said he normally didn’t object to treatment and “this case looks like he needs it.” However, he noted a 2017 Holt County contempt of court charge, “I assume for failure to appear.” He reminded the court that Doty’s bond had already been reduced by Antelope County Court Judge Donna Taylor, from the original $50,000, 10%, and asked for conditions to be in place should Doty leave treatment.

Johnson modified bond to allow Doty’s release from jail at 9 a.m. Sept 2, to obtain a preadmission physical. He was to be transported by his mother to Norfolk and ordered to be at Sunrise House by noon Friday. Johnson ordered Doty not to leave the facility for any reason, adding if he left treatment, whether voluntary or involuntary, and upon graduation from the facility, he was to report immediately back to the Antelope County Jail.

“No other authority to be at liberty is given,” Johnson said.

Doty was remanded to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Robert Moore.

Haiden M. Sleister, 18, Antelope County Jail, appeared for arraignment on two counts alleged between March 19 and April 6, Count I, possession of a stolen firearm, a Class 2A felony, and Count II, theft, $500-$1,499, a Class 1 misdemeanor. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years on Count I and up to one year and/or $1,000 fine on Count II. There is no minimum for either count. Represented by Carney, he pleaded not guilty to both counts and requested jury trial.

Carney questioned bond and said his client had very limited resources. Sleister did not have a bond in this case, as he is incarcerated at ACJ until Sept. 22 in another case, with a jail sentence pending in Madison County as well. Abler asked the judge to set a bond.

“It is not going to be a $10,000 bond,” Johnson said before setting bond at $25,000, 10%. Sleister was remanded to Moore’s custody.

Sleister was remanded to the Antelope County Jail, where he was serving a sentence in a different case. He told the judge he was set for release Sept. 18, followed by 22 days to be served in a Madison County sentence. He is represented by Antelope County public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk.

Haiden M. Sleister, 18, of Tilden faced Taylor for arraignment on two counts alleged between March 19 and April 6, Count I, possession of a stolen firearm, a Class2A felony, and Count II, theft, $500-$1,499, a Class 1 misdemeanor. Further arraignment is set Aug. 17. Sleister was remanded to the Antelope County Jail, where he was incarcerated in a different case.