Drug, weapon cases bound over to Holt County district court

Three defendants waived their rights to preliminary hearings on felony charges during Sept. 20 proceedings at the Holt County court in O’Neill. They were each bound over to Holt County district court by the Honorable Kale Burdick, where they are set for arraignment in October. Jurisdiction for accompanying misdemeanor and infraction counts were deferred to district court as well.

Shawn D. Crist, 34, of O’Neill will face the Honorable Mark Kozisec in the district courtroom on a Class 4 felony, possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, along with infraction counts of possessing marijuana and drug paraphernalia, all alleged June 29 in O’Neill. Personal recognizance bond, in amount of $2,500, is continued. Crist is represented by court-appointed counsel, Michael Sholes of O’Neill.

Crist was arrested after a search warrant was executed at a shop building located at 49164 Highway 20, occupied by Crist and two other men. According to a probable-cause affidavit filed by Holt County sheriff’s office investigator Steven Binkerd, a glass pipe with a white residue and a baggie containing white crystals that field tested for meth were among items found.

William D. Liermann, 63, was also arrested and is set for further arraignment in county court Oct. 4 on five counts, two Class 2 felonies – delivery of a controlled substance, oxycodone; a Class 3 felony – possession of a deadly weapon, knife (machete), by a prohibited person; and two Class 4 felonies – possession of a controlled substance, heroin, and possession of a controlled substance, diazepam.

James I. Liermann, 54, who was visiting from Englewood, Colorado, was cited, for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He pleaded guilty in August and was fined for the infractions.

Binkerd was assisted in executing the search warrant by other members of the Holt County sheriff’s department, O’Neill police force, Brown County sheriff’s department and Nebraska State Patrol officers.

Chad A. Doiel, 46, of O’Neill will be arraigned in district court Oct. 3, on two Class 4 felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, meth and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), along with an infraction, possession of paraphernalia, all alleged June 4, in O’Neill. Doiel was arrested after O’Neill officers were called to a verbal disturbance at Doiel’s residence. According to an affidavit filed by officer Colin Hyatt, officers received permission from the defendant’s spouse to search the camper residence for contraband, leading to the discovery of two black boxes allegedly containing the drugs. A $5,000 PR bond is continued. Doiel is represented by Holt County public defender Rodney Smith.

Noe A. Macias, 33, of O’Neill was set to face Kozisec Oct. 3, for arraignment on two Class 1D felony counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, one in June and one Aug. 15, and four Class 1 misdemeanors alleged Aug. 15, third-degree domestic assault, theft, false reporting and obstructing a peace officer. Bond, in the amount of $100,000, 10% cash, is continued. Macias is represented by Smith.

Macias was arrested Aug. 15 in O’Neill. According to an affidavit filed by O’Neill officer Preston Hoffman, police were dispatched to a domestic disturbance. The defendant had left the residence, allegedly with a gun, taking his domestic partner’s phone with him. He was later located at the city cemetery, allegedly with two cell phones but without the weapon. According to the officer, Macias claimed he gave the weapon to a co-worker, who later told officers he knew nothing about a gun.

Dennis J. Nekolite Jr., 32, of O’Neill was bound over Sept. 15 on five counts alleged July 27, including a Class 4 felony, operating motor vehicle to avoid arrest. He is also charged with willful reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor; driving under the influence, a Class W misdemeanor; driving under suspension, a Class 2 misdemeanor; and possession of an open alcohol container, an infraction. Kozisec accepted his written waiver of appearance and not guilty plea Sept. 20. His next appearance in the case is set Dec. 5. Bond is continued at $100,000, 10%. Nekolite is represented by Smith.

According to an affidavit filed by Binkerd, Nekolite was arrested after he allegedly failed to stop and led officers on a chase on O’Neill area streets, highways and county roads, culminating with a fire on the interior of the vehicle as he exited it. He allegedly told officers he had just got out of Hall County Jail that day.