Clearwater man pleads guilty to double sexual assault charges

Michael J. Mueller, 26, of Clearwater appearing with his attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, faced the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on Wednesday, May 31.

Pursuant to a plea agreement with Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith, Mueller changed his pleas to guilty on charges of first-degree sexual assault in two separate cases involving separate minor victims, a 14-year-old girl on Dec. 26, 2022, and a 15-year-old girl on three occasions last year. The crimes are Class 2 felonies.

In return, Smith agreed to make no sentencing recommendation and to file no additional charges in either case.

The prosecutor said facts were similar in the cases, one being “sexual intercourse, in its usual sense… without consent of victim.” The other was statutory, due to victim’s age, “with sexual penetration as described by statute,” Smith said.

He withdrew evidentiary motions scheduled for hearing Wednesday afternoon.

Kube ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing at 9 a.m. July 26.

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, directly or indirectly, with any person under 18 years of age.