Orchard woman sentenced for flight in stolen car

The Honorable James Kube, presided from the bench in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on Nov. 29.

Morgan K. Anson, 25, appeared for sentencing on three crimes committed Dec. 9, 2022, Count I, theft by receiving stolen property valued between $1,500 and $5,000, a Class 4 felony; Count II, attempted possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and Count III, use of a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Antelope County public defender Pat Carney asked for a probation sentence. He said Anson had successfully completed treatment for her meth addiction and had recently given birth. He said she “didn’t have a lot of direction early in life,” but would like to go back to school.

Anson said she is working at an area nursing home and affirmed her desire for further education. Upon questioning from Kube, she said she received no child support from the fathers of her three children.

“You aren’t dating the right kind of guys,” he told her before passing sentence.

He sentenced Anson to concurrent 18-month terms of probation, including 90 days in the Antelope County Jail. She was given credit for 106 days previously served. Anson was ordered to pay $500 restitution to James Molt of Spaulding on Count I, $137 court costs and $570 in probation-related fees.

“I don’t want you to just think of this as an opportunity to stay out of jail,” the judge said. “(It is) an opportunity to stay on the same path as you are, get some structure in your life…a foundation under you so you can raise your children.”

Anson was arrested Dec. 9, 2022. According to an affidavit filed by an Antelope County deputy, he attempted to pull over a vehicle traveling on a county road with no license plates, when the vehicle, driven by Anson, fled. The chase continued with Anson running a stop sign, entering a “no outlet” road, traveling through a cornfield, through trees and a fence line.

The officer lost sight of the subject when he had to backtrack but located the disabled vehicle and noted footprints in the snow, leading away. The officer found license plates on the floor and determined the car was stolen. Anson was later located about 100 yards away, hiding in some grass on top of a “spilled-out” purse and a duffle bag, containing tools, was found nearby.

Anson pleaded guilty to the crimes Sept. 28, pursuant to an agreement with Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith. The agreement included Smith reducing Count I from a Class 2 felony, Count II from a Class 4 felony, possession of meth; and Count III, from a Class 4 felony. He also dismissed two counts, possession of burglar tools and obstruction of a police officer.

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Max S. Kerkman, 34, appeared for arraignment on a pair of Class 4 felony drug charges, possession of methamphetamine and oxycodone. Kerkman pleaded not guilty to both counts and requested jury trial. Pretrial hearing is set Jan. 31, with a Feb. 20 jury trial slated. He is represented by Brad Montag of Norfolk.

Kerkman was arrested following a June 6 federal probation search at his Oakdale residence.

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A jury trial, set for Dec. 12 for Jay L. Hererra, 22, of Vermillion, South Dakota, was cancelled due to the defendant’s outstanding arrest warrant for failing to appear in court. The trial will be rescheduled after his arrest.