Additional charge filed in July 4 flight, crash

A man accused of a high-speed flight and crash on a stolen Polaris Razor in downtown Neligh, following the city’s 150th birthday/Old Mill Days celebration, had another felony charged added last week.

Rider C. Short, 23, of Oakdale faced the Honorable James Kube on Sept. 27, for pretrial hearing on Count I, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony bound over from county court and Count II that was direct filed in district court last month, theft by unlawful taking, greater than $5,000, a Class 2A felony; as well as arraignment on Count III, a new direct-filing, criminal mischief, more than $5,000, also a Class 4 felony which, like Count II, would have a potential penalty of up to 20 years of incarceration and restitution.

Short requested a preliminary hearing on Count III, which Kube set Oct. 25, and a jury trial is continued to Dec. 12. Bond, in the amount of $20,000, 10% cash, is continued.

Short is represented by Frederick Bartell of Norfolk.

Christopher Robinett, 20, of Neligh appeared, alongside his court-appointed attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, in front of Kube, for arraignment on a four-count information.

Robinett pleaded not guilty to Count I, burglary, a Class 2A felony; Count II, leaving the scene of a property-damage accident, a Class 1 misdemeanor; Count III, driving under the influence of alcohol, a Class W misdemeanor; and Count IV, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor, all related to the alleged theft of a pickup from Carhart Lumber in Neligh on Aug. 6 and a subsequent crash.

Pretrial hearing is set Oct. 25 and a jury trial, Dec. 12. Bond is continued at $25,000, 10% cash.

Robinett also appeared for hearing on a motion to revoke probation ordered Nov. 30, 2022. He denied the allegations and an evidentiary hearing is set for Oct. 25. Kube set bond at $10,000, 10%.

Taylor Schwager, 36, of Orchard appeared in front Kube with his attorney, Ron Temple of Norfolk, for the second month in a row to answer allegations he violated conditions of his post-release supervision.

Schwager’s PRS is effective until Nov. 10. A motion to revoke PRS was filed by Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith on July 26, alleging a July 14 DUI arrest in Lancaster County. Temple asked for continuance when he appeared with Schwager on Aug. 30, telling the judge he expected resolution by dismissal, since charges had not been filed in Lancaster County.

A Lancaster County complaint was filed Sept. 11, alleging two counts, Count I, reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and Count II, driving wrong way on one-way street, an infraction. The local allegation of violating PRS remains on the docket. Schwager denied the allegation and Kube set an evidentiary hearing Oct. 25.

Schwager pleaded not guilty to the two allegations when he appeared in Lancaster County court Sept. 11, without counsel. He was scheduled for hearing Oct. 5, with bond posted July 14, in the amount of $2,500, 10% cash, continued.

Ryan Brummels, 22, of Ewing, represented by Frederick Bartell of Norfolk, appeared for pretrial hearing on one count, first-degree sexual assault of a minor, a Class 2 felony alleged Dec. 26, 2022.

A defense motion to continue was sustained, with pretrial hearing continued to Oct. 25 and jury trial on Dec, 12 docket.

Bond is continued at $50,000, 10%.

Jay L. Herrera, 22, of Vermillion, South Dakota, who tested positive for THC during an Aug. 30 arraignment hearing and subsequently appeared, along with his court-appointed counsel, Martin Klein, in front of Kube on Aug. 31 in the Madison County district courtroom, via Zoom.

Herrera pleaded not guilty to a Class 3A felony, terroristic threats, alleged June 7 in Neligh.

Pretrial hearing is set Oct. 25, with a jury trial slated Dec. 12. Bond is continued, in the amount of $10,000, 10%.