Driver jailed after stuck twice on muddy county road

A plea agreement was initiated in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last week, prior to a Beatrice man’s arraignment on March 28 charges.

Christopher A. Palmer, 29, pleaded guilty to Count I as charged, obstruct a peace officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and an amended Count II, drive under suspension, a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Antelope County prosecutor Joe Smith reduced Count II from a Class 2 misdemeanor, driving under revocation, and dismissed counts III and IV, no proof of financial responsibility and unlawful/fictitious display of plates.

As part of the deal, Smith recommended a total of 14 days in the Antelope County Jail.

The Honorable Donna Taylor sentenced Palmer to 14 days on Count I and seven days on Count II, to be served concurrently. He was given credit for six days served and taxed $50 costs.

Palmer was arrested by Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore on March 28 following a foot pursuit through fields about seven miles southwest of Tilden.

According to an arrest affidavit filed by Moore, the sheriff received a call from an area farmer on his personal cell phone. The farmer reported a vehicle was stuck just north of the intersection of 531 Road and 836 Avenue. The sheriff reported the farmer needed “front-wheel assist” to reach the Dodge Durango.

After being pulled out, Moore reported Palmer fled when he saw the police vehicle, attempting to go back down the same road – again getting the Durango stuck in the mud.

He then fled on foot, prompting Moore to call for additional law enforcement units. Palmer ran “back and forth through two quarters of ground” for about 45 minutes before he was apprehended.

Smith said the sheriff “got ahold of a 4-wheeler” and Palmer got tired of running.

Moore reported Palmer removed a sim card from his phone and ate it just before his arrest. He also said Palmer had no proof of ownership nor insurance for the Durango nor a trailer he was pulling.

Palmer had active warrants out of Madison and Lancaster counties. He asked to “take care of” the Madison County case while serving his jail sentence. A warrant was issued March 8, charging him with shoplifting, a Class 2 misdemeanor alleged Jan. 26 at Walmart in Norfolk. A female codefendant was also charged in the case.

Palmer was represented by Antelope County public defender Pat Carney.

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The remaining criminal cases on the April 3 docket were continued to April 17 or May 1.

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Sara Woodard pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a March 10 City of Neligh complaint charging her with allowing a dog to run at large. She was fined $25 and taxed $49 costs. Woodard was cited after police received a complaint that two dogs were running at large near 6th and P streets and one had allegedly bit a Pioneer Homes resident who was walking in the area. The victim alleged the dog “bit at” her with no injury. However, she reported her the bite left a hole in her pants. The officer also alleged the defendant was “very irate” and was detained after she attempted to flee in her vehicle when he initiated contact at her residence. He indicated the citation followed “repeated warnings.”