Antelope County defendants sentenced after reaching plea deals

Jake R. Short, 22, of Meadow Grove, appeared in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Oct. 5, alongside Antelope County public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk, for further arraignment on a pair of Class 2 misdemeanor counts of second-degree forgery, alleged in February and March.

A plea agreement was announced. In return for Short’s guilty plea to Count I and agreement to pay restitution, totaling $433.73 on both counts, Abler agreed to dismiss Count II - after restitution is paid. Count II is continued to Nov. 16, when sentencing is set on the Count I conviction.

According to a complaint, filed by Abler, Short forged two checks between Feb. 26 and March 3, in amounts of $67.12 and $66.61, to JB Mart and another, in the amount of $300, to Heritage Bank on Feb. 27, all on the account of the same individual.

Matthew J. Wright, 48, of Oakdale appeared, alongside Carney, for a status hearing on charges committed July 2 in Oakdale. A plea bargain had been reached. Abler dismissed a Class 2 felony child abuse charge in return for Wright’s guilty pleas to two Class 1 misdemeanor counts of first-degree assault. Taylor ordered a presentence investigation report and set sentencing for Nov. 2.

Bond posted Aug. 7, in the amount of $10,000, 10%, with condition for no contact, directly nor indirectly, with his stepchildren and written permission from anyone he resides with, is continued.

Toni L. Golden, 38, of Royal had her case resolved with a plea agreement. She appeared alongside Klein, charged with driving under the influence, (more than .15) second offense, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and speeding, 86 mph in 65 mph zone, an infraction. Klein announced the deal. Abler agreed to amend the DUI charge to first offense, file no additional charges in the case and recommend probation.

In return, Golden pleaded guilty to the amended charge and speeding, as charged. Taylor ordered Golden to obtain an alcohol evaluation and set sentencing for Oct. 19. She warned Golden to be prepared to report to jail if she hadn’t yet served any time. The judge said the conviction requires a seven to 10-day commitment in jail, even if sentenced to probation.