Clearwater man has charge dropped

A charge against a Clearwater man was dismissed by Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith on Oct. 25.

Zane Herley, 23, of Clearwater, was set for pretrial hearing Nov. 1 and trial Nov. 17 in the Antelope County Court, on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor (allegedly provided a Jell-O alcohol shot to 18-year-old minor), a Class 1 misdemeanor alleged June 24 in Clearwater.

According to a document filed by Smith, the reason for dismissal was that law enforcement did not preserve the evidence.

Smith also dismissed a minor in possession charge alleged against 18-year-old Gavin Longsdorf of Neligh, with the same reason documented.

On Oct. 31, Smith dismissed a bad check charge against Donaven Nolze, 23, of Sioux City, Iowa. A warrant had been issued in February for the arrest of Nolze, when he failed to appear in Antelope County Court on the charge. The warrant was served by Lancaster County officers Oct. 20 and he posted $150 bond, which he assigned to pay $87.66 restitution to Elgin One Stop for the July 2022 bad check and $51 costs.

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Denis F. Kerkman, 90, of Tilden appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Nov. 1, for arraignment on a charge of violating a protection order, a Class 1 misdemeanor alleged Oct. 13. Kerkman requested continuance so he can hire an attorney. Taylor granted the request and set Kerkman for further arraignment Nov. 15.

Bond is continued, in the amount of $20,000, 10%, with order for no contact, direct or indirect, with victim.

According to a probable-cause affidavit filed by a Neligh police officer, Kerkman was accused of making a phone call to his exwife as well as driving by her residence on Oct. 10-11. He was arrested Oct. 13, after he pulled into the parking area at the Antelope County Law Enforcement Center.

Shane A. Sleister, 49, of Oakdale faced Taylor for further arraignment on two counts, Count I, resisting arrest, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and Count II, driving under suspension, a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Sleister pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial. Taylor set pretrial hearing Dec. 6. Bond is continued, in the amount of $4,000, 10% cash. He is represented by Antelope County public defender Pat Carney of Norfolk.

In another case, an alleged violation of Village of Oakdale’s nuisance ordinance, Sleister was given additional time to pay court costs.

Kristopher T. Dorie, 39, of Albion appeared for further arraignment on a count of third-degree assault, alleged Aug. 22. Dorie pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Nov. 15. Dorie is represented by Antelope County public defender Carney of Norfolk.

Kegan J. McAllister, 19, of Tilden, who had been granted a continuance in October so he could hire an attorney, appeared without counsel and requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed Carney. She set further arraignment for Nov. 15 on a charge of third-degree domestic assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor alleged July 6. Bond is continued in the amount of $10,000, 10%, including an order for no contact with the alleged victim, neither direct nor indirect.

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Taylor ordered warrants be issued for two defendants who failed to appear to show cause for nonpayment of fines and costs.

Kami Ash, 29, of Wood River failed to appear on a delinquent amount of $149, due on an Oct. 4 driving under suspension conviction (by waiver) and Austin Bertschinger, 31 of Blair, on a delinquent amount of $460 on his Aug. 2 attempted possession of a controlled substance sentence.

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Taylor, on Oct. 17, issued a warrant for the arrest of a 54-year-old Petersburg man, Timothy R. Miller Sr. Bond is set at $1,500, 10% cash.

A complaint was filed that day, by Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith, alleging a Class 2 misdemeanor, second-degree forgery.

According to an affidavit, filed by Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore, he had investigated a report of Miller allegedly passing a counterfeit $100 bill on an approximate $5 gas purchase, Oct. 10, at an Elgin convenience store.