Man accused of passing counterfeit bill waives attorney

A Petersburg man accused of passing a counterfeit $100 bill last fall doesn’t want a lawyer but wants his bond modified.

Thomas R. Miller, 54, had waived his right to counsel at his first court appearance last month and was denied a request for a bail refund.

Miller appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor last Wednesday, Feb. 7, for further arraignment on a Class 2 misdemeanor, second-degree forgery, alleged Oct. 11, when he is accused of passing the bill at Elgin One Stop. He again waived his right to counsel. He entered a not guilty plea.

Special deputy county attorney Joe Hurd said a personal recognizance bond would be appropriate, but Taylor said bond had already been posted.

“I’m just...spiraling out of control, I just need to take care of myself,” Miller explained. “All this is about my divorce, it’s killing me.”

Taylor denied the PR bond request and asked again if Miller was certain about waiving counsel.

“I’m not going to change your bond, it’s (already) the lowest,” she said. “If you wish to be represented by an attorney, now is the time.”

No request was made. Pretrial hearing is set Feb. 21.

Shane Sleister, 49, of Oakdale (in custody), appeared on two cases containing similar charges. Sleister, who did not have a valid driver’s license, was allegedly seen driving by an Antelope County deputy on two recent occasions.

He faced Taylor for arraignment in his newest case, charged with operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 1 misdemeanor; driving during revocation, a Class 2 misdemeanor; and reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor, all alleged Jan. 5 in Oakdale. If convicted, he faces a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to one year imprisonment on Count I; up to $1,000 fine and/or six months on Count II; and up to $500 and/or up to 90 days on Count III.

Sleister requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed Antelope County public defender Pat Carney, who represents him in the other case. Further arraignment was set for Feb. 17.

Pretrial hearing in a second case, involving charges of resisting arrest, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and driving during suspension, a Class 3 misdemeanor, both alleged Sept. 20, 2023, was continued to Feb. 17 at the request of Carney.

A bond revocation hearing was held in the September case. The balance remaining of the $360 held by the county will be turned over to the Antelope County Treasurer, after the deduction of court costs and any sheriff's expenses in towing the vehicle in the January case. New bond was set in the 2023 case, at $10,000, 10%, and at $25,000, 10% in the 2024 case. Sleister was remanded to Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore’s custody, pending posting of bond.

Larry D. Humphrey, 70, of Meadow Grove appeared for arraignment on a count of theft by deception, less than $500, alleged Oct. 19, 2023. If convicted of the Class 2 misdemeanor, Humphrey faces up to a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail. He requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed Carney and set further arraignment Feb. 21.

Tyler J. Bredvick, 28, of Butte appeared for arraignment on a Class 2 misdemeanor, driving under suspension. If convicted, he faces up to a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail. He requested court-appointed counsel. Taylor appointed Carney and set further arraignment Feb. 21.

Arraignment for Julius Tauber, 22, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was continued to March 8 on two Class 3 misdemeanor counts of intimidation by phone call, alleged in September 2022.

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Two defendants were no shows for arraignment. Taylor noted their failure to appear and ruled the county attorney may file affidavits, motions and orders for arrest warrants.

Matthew R. Thomas, 37, of Neligh is charged with a Class 3A felony count of child abuse, alleged Oct. 1, 2023.

Marta Yanes-Cambara, 54, of Neligh is charged with offenses in two cases. She failed to appear for arraignment on a Class 4 felony, issue bad check-aggregate, including three checks allegedly written between May 30 and June 2, 2023, to Thriftway Market in amounts of $1,052.40, $740.81 and $354.31.

Yanes-Cambara also failed to appear on a Class 3 misdemeanor, disturbing the peace, alleged Jan. 3.