Iowa man sentenced to jail for 2021 impersonation charge

Two cases with charges from 2021 and 2023 reached resolution in the Holt County court last week when the Honorable Kale Burdick presided from the bench at the O’Neill courthouse.

Mark J. McCrea, 63, of Correctionville, Iowa, pleaded no contest to an amended charge in a nearly three-year-old case, pursuant to a plea agreement with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly.

On March 16, 2022, Kelly charged McCrea with criminal impersonation, a Class 4 felony alleged Nov. 22, 2021. He provided an O’Neill police officer with an incorrect name and date of birth and a warrant was issued for his arrest March 17, 2022. The warrant expired and was reissued in March this year and was served in Iowa May 6 by an O’Neill officer.

The Honorable Kale Burdick found McCrea guilty and sentenced him to 30 days in the Holt County Jail, with credit given for eight days served. Burdick sustained McCrea’s request to sit out $329.80 waiverable costs of prosecution and discharged $17 non-waiverable costs.

McCrea was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith.

Joseph C. Yates, 19, of O’Neill appeared for sentencing on two of five counts committed May 20, 2023.

Burdick sentenced Yates to a nine-month term of probation for false reporting, a Class 1 misdemeanor, including $300 in probation-related fees. He was fined $100 for a zero-tolerance violation (BrAC .023), an infraction, and assessed $115 court costs.

Conditions of probation include 18 days in the county jail, two days per month on the last Friday of the month, beginning May 31, unless waived. He is required to attend two AA meetings per week, enroll in Nebraska Department of Labor’s WIOA youth employment and training program, obtain a co-occurring evaluation and follow all recommendations of the evaluator.

Three counts, minor in possession of alcohol, reckless driving and an open-container violation were dismissed by Kelly March 5. Yates was represented by Smith.

Jodi Valenzuela, 19, of Grand Island faced Burdick on two counts, driving under suspension/before reinstated and speeding, 6-10 mph over posted limit. He waived his right to counsel and pleaded guilty. Burdick fined him $100 and $25, respectively, and assessed $50 costs. He was cited April 15 by a Nebraska State Patrol officer south of O’Neill on Highway 281.

Thomas D. Desmond, 34, of Brooksville, Florida, pleaded guilty by waiver and was fined $25 and $49 costs for a commercial vehicle permit violation.