New state resident learns about Nebraska laws

An Elgin man, who had moved from Arizona last fall, has learned about icy road conditions and Nebraska law regarding vehicle and driver’s licenses.

Tyler S. Zawacky, 30, of Elgin appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh on March 6 for pretrial hearing on Count I, leaving scene of property-damage accident, a Class 2 misdemeanor; Count II, no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor; and Count III, fictitious plates, a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Pursuant to a plea agreement with assistant county attorney Joe Hurd, Zawacky pleaded guilty to an amended Count II, careless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and Count III, as charged. In return, Hurd dismissed Count I. Zawacky agreed to pay $910.66 restitution to Elkhorn Rural Public Power District, for a power pole damaged in an Oct. 28, 2023, collision.

Zawacky told Taylor the careless driving charge came from sliding into the pole, due to icy road conditions, while he was on his way to work. He explained the fictitious-plate charge came from his lack of knowledge about a difference in state laws. He had moved to Nebraska last year from Arizona, where he said plates remain with a vehicle.

Taylor fined Zawacky $100 and $50, respectively, assessed $50 costs and ordered restitution. She asked if he had obtained a Nebraska driver’s license. When said he had not, she explained that Nebraska law requires drivers to obtain a Nebraska license within six months of becoming residents.

“But that’s not part of this,” she said.

Zawacky was represented by Antelope County public defender Pat Carney.

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Taylor resentenced Richard C. Jelich Jr., 28, homeless (in custody) on a count of third-degree assault committed in June 2023. A 12-month term of probation was revoked after he admitted violations. He was ordered to serve 156 days in the Antelope County Jail, with credit given for 36 days previously served.

Jelich was self-represented.

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Cameron J. Schindler, 19, of Neligh appeared for pretrial hearings on charges in two cases - a Class 3 misdemeanor, minor in possession of alcohol, committed Oct. 7 and three alcohol-related charges alleged Oct. 15, Count I, driving under the influence, a Class W misdemeanor; Count II, MIP; and Count III, speeding, an infraction.

Pursuant to a plea agreement, Schindler pleaded guilty to the Oct. 7 MIP charge and the Oct. 15 DUI. In return, Hurd dismissed counts II and III in the Oct. 15 case.

For the Oct. 7 MIP, Taylor sentenced him to a 30-day administrative (unsupervised) probation term, including two days in the Antelope County Jail and taxed him $50 costs.

For the Oct. 15 DUI, he was placed on a nine-month term of probation, including payment of $300 in fees, a $500 fine, with credit allowed for up to $245 paid for an alcohol evaluation, and $150 costs. Terms of probation also include attending outpatient counseling, as recommended in evaluation, and at least one AA or NA meeting per week.

Schindler was represented by Carney.

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Shane Sleister, 49, of Oakdale (in custody on other allegations) faced Taylor for sentencing on an Oakdale nuisance violation, on his property at 606 Rath Street in Oakdale. The complaint was filed in February 2023 and Sleister was found guilty at a January 2024 trial.

Taylor fined Sleister $100 and assessed $50 costs of prosecution.

Prior to the trial, village attorney Joe Smith, had offered a deal after some abatement work was completed by the defendant. Smith agreed to dismiss the charge if Sleister paid $50 court costs. Sleister did not comply and the case went to trial. He was self-represented.

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Jeffrey A. Reinke, 35, of Omaha pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a charge of no operator’s license, a Class 3 misdemeanor committed Jan. 1, 2018. He paid $399 (fine/costs/restitution) as agreed in a plea bargain with Smith earlier this year and a charge of leaving the scene of a property-damage accident was dismissed.

Reinke’s case stemmed from allegations he failed to report a 2018 New Year’s Day accident. Reinke, driving an uninsured vehicle belonging to another Omaha individual, crashed the vehicle at the intersection of highways 20 and 13 east of Brunswick, causing damage to signs and then abandoned the damaged vehicle. In addition, his driver’s license was reported suspended out of Washington state.

Reinke was represented by Gregory Pivovar of Bellevue.