Holt County judge passes out sentences for a variety of crimes

Hunter R. Cullen, 22, of O’Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on May 2 to be sentenced on Count I, attempted possession of a controlled substance (concentrated THC), a Class 1 misdemeanor, and Count II, possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction, both committed Jan. 15 in O’Neill.

Burdick fined Cullen $500 on Count I and $100 on Count II. In addition, he was placed on probation for 12 months. He was ordered to pay $390 in probation-related fees and $60 costs of prosecution. As part of his probation, Cullen was ordered to attend two AA meetings per week and re-enroll in classes to complete an associate degree or, if eligible, enroll in the Nebraska Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act employment and training program, within 30 days.

Cullen was self-represented.

Ruben Gomez Gomez appeared for arraignment on counts committed Dec. 17, 2022, in O’Neill. He was charged with Count I, DUI, a Class W misdemeanor; Count II, driving too fast for conditions, an infraction; Count III, no operator’s license, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and Count IV, willful reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor. Gomez Gomez pleaded guilty to counts I, II and III, pursuant to a plea agreement. Holy County attorney Brent Kelly dismissed Count IV. On Count I, Burdick ordered a nine-month term of probation, including $300 in fees; two days in the county jail, with credit for one day previously served; a $500 fine and one-year driver’s license revocation. He was fined $100 and $75, respectively on counts II and III and taxed $105 costs of prosecution.

Gomez Gomez was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith. Maria Chavez served as interpreter.

Ramon Solano Merino, 32, of O’Neill appeared for arraignment on four counts, Count I, DUI; Count II, driving left of center, Count III, failure to signal; and Count IV, no operator’s license. Solano Merino withdrew a motion to suppress evidence and pleaded guilty to Count I, pursuant to an agreement with Kelly, who dismissed counts II, III and IV.

Burdick fined Solano Merino $500 and ordered a six-month term of probation, including $210 in fees, for the Aug. 22, 2022, offense.

Solano Merino was represented by Smith, with Chavez serving as interpreter.

Sydney R. Chenault, 37, of Spencer appeared on Count I, no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and Count II, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor. Kelly dismissed Count I, while Chenault pleaded guilty to Count II. Burdick fined Chenault $250 and assessed $50 costs. Chenault was cited by a Nebraska State Patrol officer March 20, east of O’Neill on Highway 20. She was self-represented.

Terry A. Kopejtka, 20, of O’Neill faced Burdick for arraignment on a bad check charge. Kopejtka waived his right to counsel and pleaded guilty to the Class 2 misdemeanor. Burdick ordered Kopejtka to serve two days in the Holt County Jail, pay $188.33 restitution to Super Foods by June 6 and pay $50 costs.

Hector Baiz, 20, of Omaha pleaded guilty to a pair of infractions, possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Burdick fined Baiz $300 and $100, respectively and taxed him $49 costs. Baiz was cited by an NSP officer March 20, east of O’Neill on Highway 20.

Shawn D. Jackson, 37, of O’Neill pleaded guilty, by waiver, to possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. He was fined $100 and taxed $49 costs. Jackson was cited by an O’Neill officer April 13.

Timothy J. Johnson, 47, of O’Neill pleaded guilty, by waiver, to fishing without a permit. He was fined $100 and taxed $49 costs. Johnson was cited April 1, near the Atkinson dam by a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officer.

Chance J. Nelson, 32, of Atkinson pleaded guilty, by waiver, to three counts. He was fined $200 for speeding (93 MPH in 65 MPH zone); $100 for careless driving; $50 for possession of an open alcohol container and assessed $49 costs. Nelson was cited April 23 by an NSP officer, west of O’Neill on Highway 20.