Teen bound over to district court on seven felony counts

An 18-year-old O’Neill man has waived his right to a preliminary hearing and was bound over to the Holt County district court on seven felony counts.

Ethan J. Peterson faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill on May 16, charged with a total of 11 counts, seven of them felony allegations. Charges include a Class 2 felony, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony; three Class 3A felonies, possession of controlled substance with intent to deliver – clonazepam, zolpidem tartrate and carisoprodol; a Class 3A felony, terroristic threats; two Class 4 felonies, possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm by prohibited offender; two Class I misdemeanor counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor; a Class 3 misdemeanor, minor in possession of alcohol; and an infraction, possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is set for arraignment June 5. Jurisdiction of misdemeanor and infraction counts were waived to the district court as well. Bond, in the amount of $100,000, 10% cash, is continued, including condition for no contact with three juveniles. Peterson is represented by Martin Klein of Neligh.

Peterson was arrested April 9 by a Holt County investigator, during the investigation into a vehicle that was allegedly stolen and wrecked by a juvenile codefendant. According to an arrest affidavit filed by investigator Steven Binkard, a total of 1,630 schedule four pills were allegedly located on Peterson’s person. Binkard estimated the pills had a street value of nearly $10,000. Peterson also allegedly had meth and paraphernalia on his person and a firearm, with no magazine, alcohol, marijuana, a cigarette and a vape pen were allegedly found in the vehicle.

The 17-year-old driver of the alleged stolen vehicle was also arrested on multiple charges, including burglary, theft, driving under the influence of drugs, possession of methamphetamine and criminal mischief, more than $5,000. He faces juvenile charges in county court.