Stanton man convicted of trespass after taking vape to wife in jail

Michael Hansen, 36, of Stanton appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Feb. 16, for pretrial hearing on a charge of obstructing government operations, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

In an unusual interpretation of the charge, Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith amended the charge to second-degree trespassing, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and recommended a fine only at sentencing, in return for Hansen’s guilty plea. The charge had a potential penalty of up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail. Taylor fined him $250 and taxed $50 costs.

According to defense attorney Frederick Bartell of Norfolk, Hansen had taken a vape product to his wife when he visited her at the Antelope County Jail on Nov. 26, 2022.

Smith said when Hansen passed by signs prohibiting contraband in the facility, with vape product in his possession, he committed the trespass.

Timothy D. Anderson, 66, of Neligh appeared for sentencing on a Class 2 misdemeanor, leaving scene of property-damage accident, committed Oct. 28, 2022. Anderson faced up to $1,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail, along with up to 30 days impoundment or up to one year revocation of his driver’s license.

Public defender Pat Carney told the Taylor that damages had been covered by insurance and repairs completed. He said Anderson did not want probation and requested a fine, or if fine wasn’t appropriate, 10 days in jail.

Taylor sentenced Anderson to 10 days and assessed $50 costs. As he was taken into custody by an Antelope County deputy, she said, “I should have impounded or revoked your license, but I didn’t.” She advised him that he would be assessed six points against the license.

Bobbi S. Jenkins, 38, of Plainview appeared for pretrial hearing on two counts, Count I, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor, and Count II, traveling on a closed road, an infraction. Jenkins changed her plea to guilty on Count II, pursuant to a plea agreement and Smith dismissed Count I. Taylor fined Jenkins $50 and taxed her $50 costs. Sheriff’s fees, in the amount of $5.66 were waived.

In answer to questions by Taylor, Jenkins said the road she was traveling July 12, 2022 – 844 Road, between 528 and 529 avenues - “used to be an open road.” It is located about one and one-half miles southeast of Oakdale.

Jenkins was represented by Carney.

Lynn D. Koinzan, 63, of Elgin, appeared for pretrial hearing on a charge of reckless driving. Koinzan entered a guilty plea to an amended count, per terms of a plea bargain. The charge was reduced to careless driving by Smith. Taylor fined Koinzan $100, impounded his driver’s license for 30 days and taxed him $49 costs for the Aug. 30, 2022, offense. She ordered a temporary license to allow Koinzan to get home from court. He was represented by Bradley Easland of Norfolk.

Marcos V. Dos Santos Spohr, 35, of Bartlett appeared for pretrial hearing on Count I, leave the scene of a property-damage accident, a Class 2 misdemeanor committed Sept. 10, 2022, and Count II, reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor. A plea agreement was announced, which included Dos Santos Spohr pleading guilty to Count I and Smith dismissing Count II and agreeing to file no additional charges in the case.

Taylor fined the defendant $300 and impounded his driver’s license for 30 days. The judge ordered a temporary license which expired at 4 p.m. Feb. 15, to allow Dos Santos Spohr to get home from court.

Randi Mack, 35, Elgin appeared for arraignment on three counts of issuing bad checks, 0 to $500. Pursuant to a plea agreement, Mack pleaded guilty to one count and Smith dismissed the other two. It was noted that restitution had been paid for two checks to Thriftway Market and one to Clearwater Market, totaling $433.07, written in July and August 2022. Taylor fined Mack $150 and $50 costs.

Three defendants entered guilty pleas by waiver and were fined for their offenses, including:

• Dalton J. Herring, 23, of Atkinson was fined $300 and $100, respectively, and assessed $49 costs for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, both infractions. He was cited Jan. 8 by an Antelope County deputy west of Clearwater on Highway 275.

• Roscoe L. Wallace, 55, of Sioux City, Iowa, was fined $300 and $49 costs for possession of marijuana, less than one ounce. He was cited Dec. 10, 2022, west of Elgin on Highway 70, by an NSP trooper.

• Sheldon M. Zierke, 22, of Valentine was fined $100 and $50, respectively, and $49 costs for possession of drug paraphernalia and an open alcohol container, both infractions. He was cited by a NSP trooper Jan. 11, near Royal on Highway 20.