Damage to screen door costs Neligh man $1,000

The Honorable Donna Taylor handled several arraignments when she presided from the bench in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on Dec. 6.

Jeremy J. Warnke, 49, of Neligh appeared for arraignment on a charge of third-degree assault. Conviction of the Class 1 misdemeanor would have resulted in up to $1,000 fine and/or up to one-year incarceration. The charge was reduced to a Class 2 misdemeanor, assault by mutual consent, pursuant to a plea agreement with Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith. The Class 2 misdemeanor carried the same potential fine but only up to six months incarceration. In addition, there was a joint recommendation for a $1,000 fine, with credit for $644.93 paid in restitution to Justin Hanson.

Warnke pleaded guilty to the amended charge.

Smith explained the incident that took place at Hanson’s home, stemming from a disagreement about a relationship between the two men’s children. Smith said Warnke damaged the screen in a door to Hanson’s home and by the time the case went to court the door had been replaced.

Taylor fined Warnke a total of $1,000, with $644.93 of the fine to be paid, through the court, to Hanson. Warnke was assessed $50 costs.

Warnke was represented by Ashley D. Boettcher of O’Neill.

Denis F. Kerkman, 90, of Tilden appeared for further arraignment on a charge of violating a protection order, a Class 1 misdemeanor alleged Oct. 13. Kerkman pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial. Taylor set pretrial hearing for Jan. 17. Bond is continued, in the amount of $20,000, 10% cash, with an order for no contact, neither direct nor indirect, with victim. Kerkman is represented by Antelope County public defender Pat Carney.

James A. Brady, 68, of Neligh appeared, without counsel, for arraignment on a Class 1 misdemeanor, third-degree assault, alleged Nov. 25 in Neligh. If convicted, Brady faces up to a 1,000 fine and/or up to one year in jail. Brady requested continuance to allow time to retain an attorney. Taylor continued arraignment to Jan. 3. Bond is continued, in the amount of $4,000, 10%. Taylor amended bond conditions to include orders for no consumption of alcohol or controlled substances and an order to submit for testing. She deleted a condition for not leaving the state.

Rowdy L. Burke, 52, of Elgin faced Taylor, without counsel, for arraignment on a Class 4 felony, driving during 15-year revocation, alleged Nov. 14 in Elgin. If convicted, Burke faces up to a $10,000 fine and/or up to two years’ incarceration, along with further revocation of his driver’s license.

Burke requested a continuance to discuss the case with an attorney. Taylor set preliminary hearing Jan. 3. Bond is continued, in the amount of $10,000, 10%.

Newell Douglas, 53, of Petersburg appeared for arraignment on three Class 4 felony counts of issuing insufficient-fund/no-account checks, second offense. Checks were allegedly written to Elgin One Stop on May 30, June 3 and June 11, for a total of $531.37. Douglas has a prior conviction, in 2022, in Boone County, making the charges felonies.

If convicted, Douglas faces up to a $10,000 fine and/or up to two years imprisonment on each count, along with restitution.

Douglas requested continuance to consult an attorney. Taylor set preliminary hearing Jan. 3. Bond is continued, in the amount of $10,000, 10%.

Thomas R. Miller, 54, of Petersburg appeared for arraignment on a Class 2 misdemeanor, second-degree forgery, alleged Oct. 11, when he is accused of passing a counterfeit $100 bill at Elgin One Stop. If convicted, Miller faces up to a $1,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail, along with restitution.

After some debate, Miller waived his right to counsel and pleaded not guilty.

“I’ve got to figure it out yet,” he said. “I don’t know what I want to do… so much going on in my life.”

Taylor set pretrial conference Jan. 3.

Tyler S. Zawacky, 30, of Elgin faced Taylor on three counts alleged Oct. 28, Count I, leave scene of property-damage accident and Count II, no proof of financial responsibility, both Class 2 misdemeanors, and Count III, fictitious plates, a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Zawacky requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed Carney and set further arraignment Jan. 3. If convicted, Zawacky faces fines of up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail each, on counts I and II, as well as restitution and suspension of his driver’s license; and up to a $500 fine and/or up to 90 days in jail on Count III.

Taylor set further arraignment Jan. 3.