Colorado man in custody after failing pre-court drug test

The Honorable Mark Johnson, presiding from the Antelope County district court bench in Neligh last week, dealt with three out-of-state defendants accused of possessing drugs with the intent to deliver. The judge arraigned an Iowa couple and a Colorado man, who claimed stormy weather kept him there, then showed up for a makeup court date under the influence of drugs.

Darrion J. Cescolini, 28, of Denver did not appear Wednesday for his pretrial hearing on two counts, a Class 2A felony, possession of heroin with intent to deliver, and a Class 4 felony, possession of heroin, both alleged Feb. 12 east of Brunswick.

Antelope County public defender Patrick Carney of Norfolk told the judge his client, Cescolini, had contacted him the afternoon before, saying a snowstorm might prevent him from arriving for court on time. Carney asked if Cescolini could appear Thursday or Friday, either at a different venue or via teleconference.

Johnson, who said he had warned the defendant about not appearing when he modified bond to allow him to return to Colorado, said he would be in Cuming County on Thursday and had a very busy calendar in Madison County on Friday. Abler wasn’t available Thursday and was unsure about his Friday availability but would ask the Madison County attorney to cover for him, if necessary. Johnson continued the case to Friday afternoon in the Madison County district courtroom.

“Mr. Cescolini better hope (for) a lot of sunshine between now and Friday,” said the judge.

The weather apparently cooperated and Cescolini appeared in the Madison County courtroom Friday afternoon, alongside Carney, with Abler as prosecutor. However, a pre-court drug test was positive for meth and fentanyl. Johnson revoked Cescolini’s $20,000 bond and remanded him to the custody of the Madison County sheriff.

Brent A. Jonas, 45, and Christina M. Jonas, 37, were each arraigned Wednesday, on 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. If convicted, they face up to 20 years in prison on Count I and up to two years and/or up to a $10,000 fine on Count II.

They both entered not guilty pleas and requested jury trials. Pretrial hearings are set Jan. 25, 2023, and trials, Feb. 14, 2023.

Brent Jonas’ bond, posted Oct. 7, is continued at $10,000, 10% cash. He is represented by Carney. 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. Bond conditions for the couple include not leaving the states of Nebraska, Iowa and South Dakota.