Elgin man fails to report for jail sentence

An Elgin man, who was given a deferred jail sentence by the Honorable James Kube last month, did not show up at the Antelope County Jail on April 28 as ordered.

However, Rowdy Burke’s attempt to avoid incarceration failed. Burke, 52, is now in custody.

Burke was sentenced by Kube on April 24 to a 24-month probation term with conditions that included 90 days in the county jail, for a Class 4 felony charge of driving under revocation. Sixty days of the jail time were ordered immediately.

Burke’s attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, requested Burke be allowed a deferred jail booking so he could take care of employment obligations.

Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith did not object and Kube sustained the request, ordering Burke to report at the jail by 9 a.m. Saturday, April 28. Bond was to be exonerated when he checked in.

According to an arrest affidavit filed Monday, April 29, by Smith, Burke allegedly left a note for his wife, indicating he was leaving the state. Smith alleged, in the affidavit, that Burke’s sister from Lincoln picked him up at his Elgin residence.

A warrant was issued April 29 by Kube and was served the same day by a Lancaster County Task Force officer. He was transported back to Antelope County the following day.