Forty-year-old Atkinson man faces 12 counts sexual assault, child abuse

Travis L. Frickel, 40, of Atkinson faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on Jan. 17 for arraignment on nine Class 3A felonies and three Class 1 misdemeanors, alleged between Nov. 13 and Nov. 16, 2022.

Frickel waived his right to preliminary hearings on the felony charges and was bound over to Holt County district court on counts I, II and III, third-degree sexual assault of a child, alleged Nov. 13, Nov. 15 and Nov. 16, respectively; counts IV through IX, child abuse, two counts alleged on each Nov. 13, Nov. 15 and Nov. 16. Burdick waived jurisdiction of the misdemeanors to the district court as well. Those charges include one count of third-degree sexual assault alleged on each of the three dates. Arraignment is slated Jan. 30 in the Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill. Bond posted Nov. 21, in the amount of $75,000, 10% cash, is continued.

Frickel is represented by Michael Sholes of O’Neill, while Joseph Taylor was appointed as special prosecutor, due to Holt County attorney Brent Kelly’s disqualification.

The complaint, filed by Taylor, lists a 13-year-old victim, by initials only, in the 12 counts.

Nathan C. Eschliman, 39, of O’Neill is also set for arraignment in Holt County district court Jan. 30. He waived his right to preliminary hearing Dec. 13, 2022, when he appeared via Webex from the Platte County Jail. He was bound over to district court by Burdick on three Class 2 felony counts of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, alleged Jan. 1 and Jan. 18, 2022. Personal recognizance treatment bond in the amount of $2,500 is continued. Sholes was appointed by Burdick to represent Eschliman.

Michael W. Hilton, 37, of Salt Lake City, Utah, was ordered to appear in the district court for arraignment Jan. 23, after he waived his right to preliminary hearing last week on two felony counts, alleged in June 2021. Hilton is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, fourth offense, a Class 2A felony, and driving a vehicle not equipped with an ignition interlock device, a Class 4 felony.

Hilton was bound over to the district court by Burdick. He is represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith.

A warrant for Hilton’s arrest, signed by the judge Aug. 24, 2021, after Hilton failed to appear in county court, was served Jan. 9, by a Holt County officer. Forfeiture judgment was signed by Burdick on Sept. 7, 2021, for bond posted in June 2021. New bond was ordered at $30,000, 10%.