DUI offenders handed probation by Holt County judge

Four defendants were each given six-month terms of probation and fines for DUI convictions when they appeared in front of the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill last week.

Raymundo Popocatl Perez, 32, of O’Neill appeared for sentencing on three counts, Count I, driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class W misdemeanor; Count II, speeding (78 mph in 65 zone), an infraction; and Count III, no operator’s license, a Class 3 misdemeanor. Burdick sentenced Popocatl Perez to a six-month term of probation, a $500 fine and 60-day revocation of his license on Count I and $75 fines each for counts II and III. He was taxed $105 costs and $210 probation fees. Popocatl Perez pleaded guilty per terms of a plea bargain in November. In return Kelly dismissed another pending county court case that charged him with a Class 2 misdemeanor, driving during revocation/impound, costs in that case were waived.

Popocatl Perez was arrested by a Nebraska State Patrol officer Aug. 2, 2022, west of O’Neill on Highway 20. He was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith, with Maria Chavez serving as interpreter.

Moises Garcia Ramirez, 34, of O’Neill appeared for sentencing on five counts, DUI, a Class W misdemeanor, and four infractions, careless driving, drive on shoulder, drive left of center and possession of open alcohol container. Burdick sentenced Garcia Ramirez to a six-month term of probation, a $500 fine and 60-day revocation of his license on the DUI conviction and fines of $100, $50, $50 and $25, respectively, for the infractions. He was taxed $105 costs and $210 probation fees. Garcia Ramirez pleaded guilty Nov. 15, pursuant to a plea deal, in return for Kelly reducing the DUI charge from.15+ to .08. He was arrested by an O’Neill officer Aug. 15, 2022. Garcia Ramirez was represented by Smith, with Janet Bonet serving as interpreter.

Fernando Zamarron Martinez, 33, of Bartlett faced Burdick for arraignment on two counts, Count I, DUI, a Class W misdemeanor, and Count II, failing to yield right of way after stopping, an infraction. Zamarron Martinez pleaded guilty to both counts and Kelly agreed not to oppose probation. Burdick sentenced Zamarron Martinez to a six-month term of probation, a $500 fine and revoked his driver’s license on Count I and a $25 fine on Count II. He was taxed $105 costs and $210 in probation fees. Zamarron Martinez was arrested by an O’Neill police officer July 9, 2022. He was represented by Smith. Chavez served as interpreter.

Frank C. Faust Jr., 56, of Thurman, Iowa, appeared for pretrial hearing on three counts, Count I, DUI, .15+, second offense; Count II, possession open alcohol container; and Count III, speeding (80 mph in 65 zone). Pursuant to a plea agreement, Kelly amended Count I to DUI, .08, first-offense, dismissed counts II and III and recommended probation in return for Faust pleading guilty to the amended Count I. Burdick sentenced Faust to a six-month term of probation, a $500 fine and revoked his license for 60 days. Faust was taxed $105 costs and $210 probation fees. He was arrested Sept. 13, 2022, by a NSP officer near Ewing on Highway 275. Faust was represented by Michael Sholes of O’Neill.

Catarina Mejia Ventura, 33, of O’Neill faced Burdick for arraignment on three counts, Count I, speeding, (39 mph in 25 zone), an infraction; Count II, no operator’s license, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and Count III, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor. Mejia Ventura pleaded guilty to counts I and II in return for Kelly dismissing Count III. She was fined $75 each on counts I and II and taxed $50 costs. Mejia Ventura was cited by an O’Neill officer Oct. 9, 2022. She was represented by Smith, with Chavez serving as interpreter.

Austin L. Root, 28, of O’Neill waived his right to counsel and pleaded guilty to three counts, drive under suspension, before reinstated, a Class 3 misdemeanor; possession of open alcohol container, an infraction; and failure to use child passenger restraint, an infraction. Burdick fined Root $100, $50 and $25, respectively, and taxed him $50 costs. He was arrested in O’Neill by a NSP officer Jan. 1.

Two defendants pleaded guilty, by waiver, to O’Neill city ordinance violations.

Karsen L. Peterson, 20, of Chambers was fined $35 and taxed $49 costs for possession of tobacco, first offense (cigarettes). He was cited Oct. 8, 2022.

Mikki J. Limburg, 18, of Inman was fined $50 and taxed $49 costs for possession of tobacco, second offense (multiple vape pens). She was cited Jan. 14.