Trucker fined $5K for heavy house

A Kansas trucker received hefty fines for an overweight load in Holt County after leaving the scene of an Aug. 10 traffic crash site in another county.

A Nebraska State Patrol carrier enforcement officer cited Robert A. Bradfield, 46, of Clay Center, Kansas, for offenses including two counts of overweight single axle/group of axles - actual weights of 33,100 and 36,000 pounds (legal weight allowed on each – 20,000 pounds); one count of having no law enforcement escort; and a count over capacity plates - actual weight, 105,250 pounds on plates allowing 87,000 pounds.

The officer indicated Bradfield was moving a large house with an incorrect permit, hit a semi in Wheeler County and left the scene.

Holt County attorney Brent Kelly dismissed two counts and Bradfield pleaded guilty, by waiver, to the two axle overweight counts. He was fined $2,500 for each and taxed $49 costs.

A complaint was filed Aug. 12 by Wheeler County attorney Joseph McNally, charging Bradfield with leaving the scene of the property-damage accident. He is set for arraignment, in front of the Honorable Kale Burdick, in Wheeler County court Oct. 31.

Bradfield is represented by Tanya Hansen of Grand Island.

A Kansas man, who had a warrant issued due to his failure to appear in court July 5, pleaded guilty Sept. 29, by waiver, to the three original counts. Jacob R. Owens, 40, formerly of Emmet, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction; expired in-transit decal, a Class 5 misdemeanor; and unlawful display of plate/renewal tag, a Class 3 misdemeanor, all committed May 13 in Emmet. He was fined $100, $50 and $50, respectively and taxed $49 costs. His attorney, Brandon Dugan of Kearney, negotiated a plea deal which allowed the case to be resolved by waiver, due to Owens' current residence in Topeka. In return, Holt County attorney Brent Kelly dismissed a failure to appear charge. A motion to vacate the bench warrant was filed by Dugan and it was recalled by the court.

Jeremy C. Faust, 22, of Bettendorf, Iowa, pleaded guilty, by waiver, to possession of an open alcohol container. He was fined $50 and $49 costs. Faust was cited by a NSP officer Sept. 13 on Highway 275 west of Ewing.

Mark L. Schrader, 61, of Burke, South Dakota, pleaded guilty, by waiver, to three counts, driving commercial vehicle without obtaining CDL, a Class 3 misdemeanor; a reciprocity violation – no trip permit, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and failure to have or carry fuel permit, a Class 4 misdemeanor. He was fined $100, $35 and $100, respectively and was assessed $49 costs. Schrader was cited Sept. 12, west of Stuart on Highway 20, by a NSP carrier enforcement officer.