Four arraigned on felonies in Antelope County district court

Four defendants were arraigned by the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on felony charges Feb. 22.

Michael J. Mueller, 26, of Clearwater appeared with his attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, for arraignment on first-degree sexual assault charges, Class 2 felonies alleged in two separate cases involving separate minor victims, a 14-year-old girl on Dec. 26 and a 15-year-old girl on three occasions in 2022.

Meuller entered not guilty pleas to the allegations in both cases. Pretrial hearings are set March 29, with jury trials placed on the June 20 docket.

Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith told the judge the cases may be combined at some point, that they are related.

Bond, in amounts of $250,000 and $100,000, 10% cash, posted Jan. 4 and Jan 24, respectively, are continued, including conditions for no contact, neither directly nor indirectly, with any person under 18 years of age.

Ryan Brummels, 22, of Ewing, accompanied by his attorney, Frederick Bartell of Norfolk, faced Kube for arraignment on first-degree sexual assault of a minor, a Class 2 felony alleged Dec. 26, 2022.

Brummels pleaded not guilty. Pretrial conference is set March 29 and jury trial, June 20. Bond is continued in the amount of $50,000, 10%, with condition for no contact with the alleged victim nor anyone under 19.

Jake R. Short, 22, of Oakdale appeared beside public defender Pat Carney for arraignment on a Class 4 felony, possession of cocaine. Short pleaded not guilty. Kube set the case for pretrial conference March 29 and for jury trial June 20.

Bond is continued in the amount of $7,500, 10%, conditioned on written permission to reside at any location listed on bond documents and to be at that house by 8 p.m. every night. Short was remanded to Moore’s custody, pending posting of bond.

Short was arrested Feb. 1 by a Tilden officer, who investigated the reported theft of cash from a Tilden citizen. The officer recovered a wallet, allegedly belonging to Short, from another Tilden location. A plastic bag containing white powder that was in the wallet field tested positive for cocaine, according to the officer’s probable-cause affidavit.

Michael D. Fox, 37, of Orchard appeared alongside Klein, who was appointed after Carney indicated a conflict of interest.

Fox pleaded guilty, per terms of a plea agreement with Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith, to counts included in an amended information, terroristic threats, a Class 3A felony, and criminal mischief, a Class 3 misdemeanor. He also agreed to pay restitution in return for Smith dismissing a pending Antelope County Court case charging him with a Class 3 misdemeanor, unauthorized use of a propelled vehicle.

Kube ordered a presentence investigation report and set sentencing April 25.

Kube denied Fox’ request for his $100,000, 10% bond to be modified to personal recognizance. He asked Fox how much he could afford and Fox said $2,000, 10%. Kube reduced bond to $20,000, 10% cash, with condition for no contact with Jill or Morgan Anson. Fox was remanded back to Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore’s custody, pending posting of bond.

Morgan K. Anson, 24, of Orchard did not appear for her district court arraignment on three felony counts. Carney said Anson had called his office the previous day, confused about her court date but he thought the issue was resolved. He asked for a one-month continuance, saying she should be finished with a residential treatment program by then. Smith countered with a motion to continue the case a few days with a change of venue to Madison County. Kube denied that motion and continued arraignment to April 25.

“I am not going to put pressure on the staff to bring her up here (Feb. 20) and I’m not going to interrupt treatment either,” Kube said.

Anson is charged with a Class 2A felony, theft by receiving stolen property and three Class 4 felonies, possession of methamphetamine, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest and possession of burglar tools, all alleged Dec. 9.

Bond that had been revoked Jan. 18 after Anson allegedly tested positive for meth, was reinstated by Antelope County Court judge Donna Taylor on Feb. 3, conditioned on the her going directly from the Antelope County Jail to a Norfolk treatment facility, with no other stops. If treatment is terminated or the defendant leaves treatment unsuccessfully, she was ordered to return immediately to the jail. Kube continued bond and conditions.