Atkinson man sentenced for soliciting prostitution

Jerry D. Beall Jr., 20, of Atkinson was sentenced Oct. 2 by the Honorable Mark Kozisec, in the Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill, for a crime committed in September 2022.

On the charge of soliciting prostitution, under 18, Beall was sentenced to three years of probation, with conditions including seven days in the Holt County Jail, payment of $1,100 probation fees and partial reimbursement to the county for defense counsel fees, in the amount of $500.

Terms of probation also include: Obtain employment; obtain GED; obtain a co-occurring psychological and chemical dependency evaluation, diagnosis and treatment plan; and shall not possess nor view pornographic or sexually explicit material.

Beall pleaded no contest July 10 per terms of a plea deal with Kelly, who dismissed two additional soliciting charges. Beall was represented by Michael Sholes of O’Neill, who was appointed by Kozisec after Beall waived his right to counsel June 6. He had previously waived his right to counsel and to a preliminary hearing in county court.

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William D. Liermann, 64, of O’Neill appeared in front of Kozisec for sentencing on three counts committed more than a year ago.

Liermann was sentenced to 60 days in the Holt County Jail on each of two Class 4 felony counts of possession of a controlled substance - heroin and diazepam. The jail sentences are ordered to be served concurrently and he was given credit for one day previously served. If he loses none of his good time, Liermann will need to serve 57 days.

Kozisec also fined Liermann $1,000 for a Class 3A felony, possession of a deadly weapon (knife) by a prohibited person. He was taxed $147 costs of prosecution.

Liermann pleaded guilty, July 24, to the crimes pursuant to a plea agreement with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly, who dismissed two Class 2 felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance (oxycodone). Liermann was represented by Douglas Stratton of Norfolk.

Liermann was arrested June 29, 2022, by a Holt County investigator, following execution of a search warrant on a shop located on Highway 20 in O’Neill. The shop was occupied by Liermann and two other individuals. Shawn Crist, who resided at the shop along with Liermann, was also arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was handed a probation sentence in April. James Liermann of Englewood, Colorado, who was a visitor, was cited for the possession of marijuana and released.

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Schyler J. Burrell, 24, of Chambers appeared for sentencing on Count I, disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor; Count II, second-degree trespass, a Class 2 misdemeanor; and Count III, obstructing a police officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Kozisec sentenced Burrell to a two-year term of probation, including payment of $750 in fees. She was also taxed $147 costs.

Probation conditions include: Continue work with the Vocational Rehabilitation Program; maintain employment and complete community service as recommended by probation officer. She was also ordered to obtain a co-occurring evaluation and follow treatment recommendations.

Burrell, who was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith, pleaded no contest July 31, after reaching a plea bargain, with Kelly reducing Count III from a felony charge, criminal attempt, assault by a confined person.

According to a probable-cause affidavit, filed by an O’Neill police officer, Burrell was arrested about midnight Feb. 16, after the officer answered a report of a female attempting to break into an apartment. Burrell claimed she lived there and refused to leave when told to by the resident of the apartment. The officer indicated Burrell was highly intoxicated and argued when he explained she was a half block from the address where she was staying. According to the officer, Burrell refused to cooperate with booking procedures at the county jail, kicked a Holt County investigator in the groin and attempted to punch the jailer. She was placed in a restraint chair until she calmed down, but later became agitated again, hitting, kicking and banging her head on the walls, door and window in a holding cell.

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Varian P. Jackson, 44, of O’Neill was fined $500 and ordered to pay $153.50 costs for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Class 4 felony committed Jan. 18.

Jackson, who was represented by Smith, pleaded guilty to the charge, July 31, per conditions of a plea deal with Kelly, who reduced the charge from possession of meth with intent to deliver, a Class 2A felony.