Ewing man pleads guilty to first-degree sexual assault

Ryan Brummels, 22, of Ewing, changed his plea to guilty to first-degree sexual assault when he appeared in front of the Honorable James Kube in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh last week.

Brummels, who is represented by Frederick Bartell of Norfolk, appeared Oct. 25 for pretrial hearing on the charge, a Class 2 felony committed Dec. 26, 2022.

A plea agreement was announced. In exchange for Brummels agreement to plead guilty, Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith agreed to make no recommendation at sentencing and to file no additional charges based on evidence the state possesses. Both parties agreed to a 25-year registration obligation, pursuant to the Nebraska Sexual Offender Registration Act.

Kube ordered a presentence investigation report and set sentencing for Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. Bond is continued at $50,000, 10%.

Several other defendants also changed their pleas after reaching plea deals.

Taylor Schwager, 36, of Orchard appeared in front Kube with his attorney, Ron Temple of Norfolk, for a revocation of post-release supervision hearing.

A plea agreement was announced, with Smith agreeing to dismiss the charge in return for Schwager’s agreement to serve a 48-hour sanction at the Antelope County Jail.

The motion to revoke PRS was filed by Smith on July 26, alleging a July 14 DUI arrest in Lancaster County.

Temple had 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. However, 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, with his next appearance there set for Nov. 20. Bond was posted July 14, in the amount of $2,500, 10% cash.

Schwager’s PRS is effective until Nov. 10.

Rider C. Short, 23, of Oakdale appeared for pretrial hearing on Count I, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 4 felony, and Count II, theft by unlawful taking, greater than $5,000, a Class 2A felony; and for preliminary hearing on Count III that was direct filed in district court last month, criminal mischief, more than $5,000, a Class 4 felony. Bartell announced a plea agreement – Short would waive jury trial on counts I and II but the attorney said he wasn’t sure what Smith’s intention was for Count III. Smith then agreed to dismiss Count III. Kube set a bench trial on counts I and II for Nov. 19. Bond is continued, in the amount of $20,000, 10%.

Christopher Robinett, 20, of Neligh appeared, alongside his court-appointed attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, for pretrial hearing on a four-count information and for a revocation of probation hearing.

Robinett was charged with four counts, including 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 theft of a pickup from Carhart Lumber in Neligh on Aug. 6 and a subsequent crash.

Klein announced a plea deal. In return for Robinett’s guilty pleas to counts I and III and admission to violating terms of probation ordered Nov. 30, 2022, Smith agreed to dismiss counts II and IV and file no additional charges related to the August charges.

Robinett pleaded no contest to Count I, which was not an option listed in the agreement, a plea that drew questioning looks from the attorneys and the judge. However, Kube did allow the plea to stand. Robinett was not allowed to plead no contest to Count III though, due to a potential restitution caveat in the agreement. He pleaded guilty to Count III and admitted violating probation that was ordered Nov. 30, 2022.

Kube found Robinette guilty of counts I and III and set sentencing Dec. 20, along with resentencing on his 2022 conviction of criminal attempt-burglary, a Class 3 felony related to March 2022 thefts from the Neligh Vape Shop and Fit Stop.

Robinett was remanded back to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore.