Sioux City couple bound over to Antelope County district court

Presiding from the bench of the Antelope County Court in Neligh on Nov. 2, the Honorable Donna Taylor bound two defendants over to the Antelope County district court on felony charges and handed down sentences to several individuals for misdemeanor convictions.

Brent A. Jonas, 45, and Christina M. Jonas, 37, of Sioux City Iowa, were both scheduled for preliminary hearings. They both waived their rights to the hearings. Taylor bound the cases over to the district court, where they are scheduled for arraignment Nov. 30. They each face two counts alleged Sept. 18, Count I, a Class 2A felony, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and Count II, a Class 4 felony, possession of methamphetamine. Brent Jonas’ bond, posted Oct. 7, is continued at $10,000, 10% cash. He is represented by Antelope County public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk. Bond posted by Christina Jonas on Sept. 19, in the amount of $50,000, 10%, is also continued. Her court-appointed attorney is Martin Klein of Neligh.

Adam M. Babl, 35, of Norfolk faced Taylor for pretrial hearings in two cases. A plea agreement was announced in the second case. Babl pleaded guilty to reduced count, driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor, with Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler eliminating a high-test enhancement.

Abler recommended probation and a $500 fine. He reported Babl’s blood alcohol content was .179 when he was arrested July 8.

Carney asked the judge to give his client an opportunity at probation. He said Babl “took matters into his own hands,” to seek treatment at Valley Hope in O’Neill.

“I will continue what I am doing,” Babl told Taylor, referring to attending daily AA meetings and talking to his counselor. “Whatever you see fit, I will accept.”

Taylor sentenced Babl to a $500 fine, 60-day revocation of his driver’s license, an eight-month term of probation, including $280 in related fees and taxed him $150 costs of prosecution. As part of his probation, Babl was ordered to attend two AA meetings per week and serve 90 days on the continuous alcohol monitoring program, 10 days immediately, with the balance at the discretion of his probation officer. He was given credit for up to $200 on fine/costs for an alcohol evaluation.

Pretrial hearing in the other case, on charges of no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor alleged June 18, and no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor, was continued to Dec. 7 at the request of the defense. Babl is represented by Carney.

Christopher B. Brady, 20, of Elgin appeared alongside Carney, for sentencing in two cases. Taylor first took up a case of domestic assault committed May 20.

Carney asked the judge to consider probation. “He knew better, he recognizes he needs help, probation can help him be productive.”

Brady, when questioned by Taylor, said he lived with his mother in Oakdale and was unemployed, but could “possibly” get his old job back. He said he and the victim of his assault were back together but she lived in Oakland “so she could get her son.” He said he moved out “due to a protection order.”

He was sentenced to an 18-month term of probation and ordered to serve 90 days in the Antelope County Jail, 30 days up front and two additional 30-day stints, beginning May 1 and Nov. 1, 2023. The two delayed stints may be waived by the court. Taylor gave Brady a specific list of conditions and a timetable he needs to meet for waiver of jail. He was given credit for eight days served previously. As part of probation requirements, Brady is ordered to complete 120 days in the CAM program, the first 60 days upon his release from jail and the balance at the discretion of his probation officer; attend, pay for and complete a batterer’s intervention program through an approved provider; complete a co-occurring evaluation and follow all recommended interventions; obtain employment within 30 days or actively seek employment (at least three contacts per week); attend one AA meeting per week and pay $570 probation-related fees. He was assessed $60 costs of prosecution.

In the second case, he was fined $250 and $50 costs for disturbing the peace, an offense committed May 24. He was convicted after reaching a plea agreement which included dismissal of a third-degree domestic assault charge.

Jessy L Dirks, 31, of Elgin faced Taylor, alongside Carney, for sentencing on his conviction of third-degree domestic assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor committed May 25.

Carney asked Taylor for a probation sentence or, if jail was ordered, asked her to consider two consecutive days when he was not working. He said he thought Dirks’ actions were an anomaly and that he had sought counseling on his own, was taking medication, his family situation had stabilized and he had maintained employment.

He was fined $500, ordered to serve seven days in the county jail, with credit given for one day previously served, and placed on probation for 12 months. The jail time is to be served on three consecutive weekends beginning Friday, Nov. 4. As part of his probation, Dirks was ordered to obtain a co-occurring evaluation and follow recommendations; attend various classes offered by the probation office; and pay fees totaling $390. He was assessed $60 costs.

Dirks was found guilty Sept. 7, after he pleaded no contest per terms of a plea deal that resulted in Abler dropping a felony strangulation charge.

Heather M. Rokahr, 38, of Elgin, who had previously been granted continuance to consult an attorney, appeared without one and waived her right to counsel. She pleaded guilty to infractions committed July 11 and was fined $300 for possession of marijuana, less than one ounce, and $10 for possession of drug paraphernalia. She was taxed $49 costs. The contraband was discovered in her vehicle after she was pulled over for malfunctioning taillights by an Antelope County deputy, near Highway 70 and 520 Avenue.

Serenity N. Wilkins, 20, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, appeared for arraignment on three counts, Count I, minor in possession of alcohol, a Class 3 misdemeanor; Count II, possession of marijuana, less than one ounce, an infraction; and Count III, speeding (80 mph in 65 zone), an infraction. Wilkins waived her right to counsel and pleaded guilty to all three counts. Taylor fined her $200 on Count I, $300 on Count II and $75 on Count III. She was assessed $50 costs.

Wilkins was cited Sept. 9 by a Nebraska State Patrol officer on Highway 20, east of Brunswick.

James A. Kreizel, 38, of Creighton pleaded guilty, by waiver, and was fined $100 for driving under suspension, a Class 3 misdemeanor committed Oct. 8, in Neligh. He was assessed $49 costs.