Stuart men imprisoned

Two Stuart men received prison sentences for crimes committed in 2020, 2021 and 2022, when they appeared in front of the Honorable Mark Kozisek in the Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill, on Oct. 16.

Jacob J. Dobias, 34, was sentenced to not less than six years nor more than 12 years in a facility under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Corrections for his conviction of a Class 2 felony, first-degree sexual assault, committed July 2, 2021. He was given credit for four days previously served in the Holt County Jail. He was ordered to register under the Nebraska Sexual Offender Registration Act and was taxed $147 costs of prosecution.

If he loses none of his good time, Dobias must serve three years, less four days, before he is eligible for parole and six years, less four days, before he obtains mandatory release.

Dobias was adjudged guilty Aug. 21, after he pleaded no contest, per terms of a plea bargain with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly, who amended the charge. Dobias was arrested in May 2022, on allegations of a Class 1B felony, first-degree sexual assault of a child.

Dobias was represented by Renee Mathias with the Berry Law firm in Omaha.

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In the newest of his cases, Darrick E. Nekuda, 46, was fined $1,000 on Count I, possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony; and $100 on Count II, possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. He was assessed $137 costs.

Kozisek also resentenced Nekuda on earlier crimes. He was handed two 18-month prison terms and two six-month terms in a department of corrections facility, for one count of possession of a controlled substance committed Sept. 28, 2020, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance committed July 5, 2021.

The 18-month sentences are ordered to be served consecutively, with the six-month terms ordered concurrent to the longer terms as well as to each other. He was given credit for 105 days previously served in the Holt County Jail.

Provided he loses none of his good time, Nekuda must serve a total of 18 months, less the 105 days, before attaining mandatory release.

On June 14, Nekuda entered a no contest plea to the 2022 charge, after reaching a plea deal with Kelly and admitted violating probation ordered in the 2020 and 2021 cases. Nekuda further agreed to entry of a $150 restitution order regarding an unfiled allegation of writing a bad check.

Negotiations also resulted in Kelly’s dismissal of four counts alleged Jan. 6, possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia and marijuana and driving a vehicle with no valid registration; and his agreement to file no additional charges related to Nekuda’s conduct on June 19, 2022, or Jan. 6.

He was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith.

Both men were remanded to the custody of Holt County sheriff Ben Matchett, to be transported to the Nebraska Penal and Correction Complex at Lincoln.