Holt County judge hands out jail sentences, fines

Jennifer L Nekolite, 47, of O’Neill appeared in front of the Honorable Kale Burdick, at the Holt County Courthouse in O’Neill May 7, to be sentenced on Count I, disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor; Count II, obstructing a peace officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor; and Count III, false reporting, a Class 1 misdemeanor, all committed May 2, 2023.

Burdick sentenced Nekolite to 30 days in the Holt County Jail on Count I and 45 days each on counts II and III. The sentences are ordered concurrent to each other. She was given credit for one day previously served. Burdick allowed the sentence to be deferred until May 12, when Nekolite was ordered to report to the jail and not be under the influence of any alcohol or drugs. If she tested positive, or did not report on time, Burdick ordered she be taken before the court to show cause why she should not be found in contempt and punished accordingly.

Nekolite was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith.

Heath L. Foster, 46, of North Platte, waived his right to counsel and pleaded no contest to a count of driving during revocation, committed in July 2023.

Foster was sentenced to serve a 30-day jail sentence in the Holt County Jail, with credit given for six days previously served. His driver’s license was revoked for one year.

Foster failed to appear for arraignment Sept. 5, 2023, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The warrant was served by an O’Neill officer May 3.

Joseph J. Pritchett, 63, of O’Neill faced Burdick on a Class 1 misdemeanor count of violating a sexual assault protection order, alleged Nov. 20, 2023. Pritchett pleaded guilty to an amended charge, criminal attempt of violation of sexual assault protection order, a Class 2 misdemeanor. The complaint was amended by Holt County attorney Brent Kelly, in exchange for the guilty plea.

Burdick fined Pritchett $1,000 and taxed him $50 costs.

Pritchett was represented by Martin Klein of Neligh.

Joy L. Joyce, 21, of O’Neill appeared for sentencing on two counts, Count I, obstructing a police officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and Count II, disturbing the peace, a Class 3 misdemeanor, both committed Dec. 20, 2023, in O’Neill. Burdick fined her $500 and $100, respectively, and taxed her $50 costs.

Joyce, who was represented by Smith, pleaded no contest and was adjudge guilty by Burdick on March 5, pursuant to a plea deal with Kelly, who dismissed a count of third-degree domestic assault and reduced a count of resisting arrest to disturbing the peace.

William M. Mundorf, 71, of Hot Springs, South Dakota, faced Burdick for sentencing on a count of driving under the influence of alcohol, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor committed Dec. 24, 2023. Burdick placed him on probation for nine months, including a $500 fine, $105 costs and $300 in probation-related fees.

Mundorf, who was represented by Michael Sholes of O’Neill, pleaded no contest and was adjudged guilty by Burdick on March 5, pursuant to a plea agreement with Kelly, who reduced the charge from second-offense DUI.

Kenneth M. Plessel, 62, of Atkinson appeared for arraignment on three March 26 charges, no valid registration, a Class 3 misdemeanor; no operator’s license, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor. He waived his right to counsel, pleaded no contest to all three counts, was adjudged guilty by Burdick and was fined $25, $75 and $250, respectively, and assessed $60 costs for the March 26 offenses.

Defendants who recently pleaded guilty by waiver include:

Kyle D. Cribb, 56, of Pleasant Garden, North Carolina, fined $100 and taxed $49 costs for a hunting violation;

Rebecca J. Thompson, 37, of O’Neill was fined $25 for excess window tint and $100 for possession of drug paraphernalia; costs, $49.

Alan T. Flitter, 35, of Lewisville, Minnesota, was fined $100 for possession of drug paraphernalia and $300 for possession of marijuana; costs, $49.

Patrick G. Klabenes, 33, of O’Neill was fined $200 for being over limit on trout; costs, $49.

Kevin D, Leininger, 35, of Verdigre was fined $200 for being over limit on trout; costs, $49.

April D. Miller, 43, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was fined $100 and $300, respectively, and assessed $49 costs for July 2017 infraction offenses, possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana;

Deloras Clark, 93, of O’Neill was fined $100 for failure to correct a nuisance, a City of O’Neill ordinance violation committed March 21; costs, $49; and

A 14-year-old O’Neill youth was fined $35 for possession of tobacco. He was cited at or near O’Neill High School March 6; costs, $49.