Petersburg man sentenced for crimes committed in two counties

The Honorable Donna Taylor passed sentence on two individuals and denied requests from a woman sentenced earlier in the year when she presided from the bench of the Antelope County Court in Neligh on Oct. 19.

Ryan J. Pelster, 22, of Petersburg faced Taylor, alongside his attorney, Brad Montag of Norfolk, for sentencing in Antelope County and Madison County cases.

Prior to the judge passing sentence, Montag presented a counseling discharge summary and photos of the victim and his client in the Madison County case, as addendums to the presentence investigative report, and delivered a lengthy plea for probation on his client’s behalf, citing longstanding mental health issues as being responsible for Pelster’s actions and explaining recent treatment, continuing counseling and therapy and support from two current employers, who were present in the courtroom.

“Ryan has come a long way since these things happened,” he said.

Antelope County prosecutor Joe Abler asked the judge to review the probable-cause affidavit filed in the case.

“(It was) actually more serious than charged, he continued to operate vehicle from sheriff, pretty dangerous stuff, lucky (there was) not a more serious outcome,” Abler said.

When asked if he had anything to say, Pelster said, “I realize what I did was real horrible, I am not proud of what I did. I am not saying I don’t deserve whatever you give me, cause I probably do.”

In the Antelope County case, Pelster was sentenced to an 18-month term of probation, including $570 in fees, for his conviction of a Class 1 misdemeanor, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, and a Class 2 misdemeanor, second-degree trespassing, both committed June 11. Terms of probation include 120 days of continuous alcohol monitoring, 60 days upon his release from jail, with the balance at the discretion of his probation officer, Additional penalties for the flight to avoid conviction include 70 days in the Antelope County Jail (10 days immediately and two waiverable 30-day stints in April and November 2023) and 90-day impoundment of his driver’s license.Taylor indicated he was eligible for a work permit.

“But if you are off one-inch for your trip from work to home…” she warned. “Those people were terrified. They felt very lucky and I think you are lucky they were not hurt.”

He was taxed $50 costs of prosecution.

Pelster pleaded guilty to the two counts Aug. 17, after reaching a plea agreement with Abler. Two additional counts, willful reckless driving and speeding, were dismissed as part of the agreement.

An additional Antelope County case with an allegation of criminal mischief occuring May 8, was also dropped as part of the agreement.

In the Madison County case, Pelster was fined $1,000 each on two Class 1 misdemeanor counts of third-degree assault committed May 12 in Norfolk. He was assessed $62 costs. Montag indicated the victim of both counts, a friend of Pelster’s who is a Marine on active duty and has since been deployed, had said he did not want anything to happen to Pelster. Both men were injured in the incident.

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

Toni L. Golden, 38, of Royal appeared alongside her attorney, Martin Klein, of Neligh, for sentencing on a charge of driving under the influence, (more than .15), a Class 1 misdemeanor, and speeding, 86 mph in 65 mph zone, an infraction, both committed May 8. Taylor sentenced Golden to a one-year term of probation, including $400 in probation-related fees, a $500 fine, two days in the Antelope County Jail and revoked her driver’s license for one year on the DUI charge. She fined her $200 for the speeding charge and taxed her $150 costs of prosecution. She was given credit for one day previously served in the county jail and up to $160 paid for an alcohol evaluation. Terms of probation include 90 days on the CAM program, 30 days to begin Oct. 24 with the balance at the discretion of her probation officer, attendance at a minimum of two AA meetings per week and level one outpatient alcohol treatment as recommended in the alcohol evaluation. She was remanded to Moore’s custody.

Taylor denied two requests made by Breanna M. McNutt, 22, of Norfolk - to waive the balance of restitution owed and for early release from probation. McNutt paid the restitution in full following her court appearance. Taylor waived $30 of her probation costs.

McNutt, formerly of Stanton, was sentenced April 22 to an eight-month term of probation, for convictions of third-degree assault and criminal mischief, and was ordered to pay probation fees totaling $270, costs of $60 and $1,694.58 restitution - $729.58 to Antelope County deputy Shelby Keetle and $965 to the Antelope County Sheriff’s Department. She was being booked into the Antelope County Jail on Stanton County charges Oct. 12, 2021, when she assaulted Keetle and broke glass in a window of a jail cell.