Sexual assault cases continued

Michael J. Mueller, 26, of Clearwater appeared in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last week, alongside his attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, for pretrial hearings. Mueller is charged with first-degree sexual assault, Class 2 felony allegations 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.

Kube granted a motion for continuance filed by Klein, who said a tentative agreement was on the table, with a couple of terms yet to be resolved.

Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith noted motions he had filed, including a request to consolidate the cases, which he said are related. When Kube asked if he wanted to do so at that time, Smith said he preferred to wait until the next hearing, “because the victims would probably like to avoid publicity.”

Kube continued the pretrial hearing to the morning of April 26, with additional motions to be heard in the afternoon if necessary. Smith said he would notify the victims. A jury trial remains on the June 20 docket. Bond, in amounts of $250,000 and $100,000, 10%, 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 on a Class 2 felony, first-degree sexual assault of a minor, alleged Dec. 26, 2022.

Bartell requested continuance of the pretrial hearing. Kube continued the hearing to April 26. If no agreement is reached by then, Kube said he will set a one-half day hearing prior to trial for various motions to be addressed. Jury trial remains on the June 20 docket.

Bond is continued in the amount of $50,000, 10%, with condition for no contact with the alleged victim nor anyone under 19. A condition for not leaving the state was amended to allow Brummels to travel to South Dakota and Iowa, for employment purposes only, upon signing a waiver of extradition.

Isaac W. Anderson, 37, of Brunswick, accompanied by Klein, appeared on a Class 3A felony allegation that he failed to register with the county sheriff, per terms of the Nebraska Sex Offender Registration Act. He was granted continuance of his pretrial conference until May 31. Jury trial is now set June 20. Bond, in the amount of $5,000, 10%, posted July 8, 2022, is continued with amended terms. Anderson will be allowed to leave the state to travel to McDonald County, Missouri, May 8-10, for a court appearance related to his offender status.

Kube also granted a request for continuance by Jake R. Short, 22, Antelope County Jail. Short appeared beside Carney on a Class 4 felony, possession of cocaine and Carney requested continuance. Kube continued the pretrial conference to April 26. Jury trial remains on the June 20 docket.

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.