Plea bargains reached in Antelope County district court

Jake Short, 23, of Oakdale appeared in front of the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on July 26 for a pretrial hearing on a charge of possession of cocaine.

A plea agreement was announced, with Short pleading guilty to two counts included in an amended information, attempted possession of cocaine and theft by unlawful taking, $500-$1,499, both Class 1 misdemeanors. Short faces up to one year incarceration and/or up to a $1,000 fine on each count.

The deal also included agreement by Short to pay restitution in an as yet undetermined amount. Public defender Pat Carney told the judge some money was being held as evidence. Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith said some of the stolen cash had been recovered. He said Short had a small amount of cocaine.

Kube ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for Sept. 27. Bond is continued in the amount of $20,000, 10%. Amended bond conditions allow for residence at Oxford House in Norfolk. Short recently graduated from treatment at Sunrise Place in Norfolk.

Brennon J. Coleman, 39, of Randolph faced Kube for pretrial hearing on a charge of third-degree domestic assault, second offense, a Class 3A felony. Coleman also reached a plea bargain with Smith. Smith filed an amended complaint charging Coleman with third-degree domestic assault, first offense, a Class 1 misdemeanor and agreed to file no additional charges in the case, retaining the right to make recommendation at sentencing. Coleman entered a no contest plea to the amended charge. Kube found him guilty, ordered a presentence investigation and set sentencing for Sept. 27.

Bond is continued at $20,000, 10%, with amendment to allow indirect contact with the victim to set up time for and remove personal property from victim’s house, as long as someone from the sheriff’s office is present.

Coleman is represented by Martin Klein of Neligh.

Rider C. Short, 23, of Oakdale faced Kube for arraignment on Count I, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony bound over from county court, along with Count II that was direct filed in district court, theft by unlawful taking, greater than $5,000, a Class 2A felony. Both crimes are alleged July 4 in downtown Neligh.

If convicted, Short faces a penalty of up to two years incarceration and/or up to a $10,000 fine on Count I and up to 20 years incarceration and restitution on Count II.

Short pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Aug. 30, with a jury trial set Oct. 10. Bond, in the amount of $20,000, 10% cash, is continued.

Short is represented by Frederick Bartell of Norfolk.

Smith dismissed, without prejudice, a charge of violating conditions of the Sexual Offender Registration Act that was filed against Isaac Anderson of Brunswick last July. Anderson was represented by Klein.

Kube granted continuances of pretrial hearings to the following defendants.:

• Morgan K. Anson, 25, of Orchard, represented by Antelope County public defender Pat Carney; charged with theft by receiving stolen property valued at more than $5,000, a Class 2A felony, possession of methamphetamine, a Class 4 felony, use of motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony, possession of burglar tools, a Class 4 felony and obstruction of a police officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor, all alleged Dec. 9, 2022, in Orchard; pretrial hearing continued to Aug. 30 and jury trial to Oct. 10; bond continued at $50,000, 10%, with amendment of conditions to allow less frequent testing at the sheriff’s office – amended to three times per week, random, ordered to call sheriff’s office daily;

• Jordan J. Knievel, 21, of Neligh, represented by Carney; charged with Count I, third-degree assault on a peace officer, a Class 3A felony, Count II, false reporting, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and Count III, obstructing a police officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor, all alleged April 2 in Neligh; pretrial hearing continued to Aug. 30 and jury trial to Oct. 10 Bond is continued in the amount of $10,000, 10%; and

• Koda K. Fernau, 19, of Clearwater, represented by Ryan Stover of Norfolk; charged with a Class 3A felony, making terroristic threat, alleged in September 2022; pretrial hearing continued to Aug. 30, jury trial remains Oct. 10, $25,000, 10% bond continued.