O'Neill woman imprisoned after termination from drug court

A 21-year-old O’Neill woman who had been given an opportunity to avoid prison, has given up that chance and will spend up to four years in prison.

McKenzie A. Dow faced the Honorable Mark Kozisec in the Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill last Monday, July 29, to be sentenced for crimes committed in June 2022.

Dow had pleaded guilty Dec. 12, 2022, to Count I, theft by receiving stolen property, a Class 2 misdemeanor; Count II, possession of a financial transaction device, a Class 4 felony; Count III, criminal possession of a financial transaction device, a Class 2A felony; and Count 4, possession of a stolen firearm also a Class 2A felony. Sentencing was deferred pending her participation in North Central Problem Solving Court. Since then, she has faced multiple short-term jail sentences as sanctions for noncompliance with terms of her contract with the drug court.

On June 24, she admitted the latest violations and was removed from the problem solving court.

Sentencing was held July 29 on her conviction of the four counts. Kube ordered sentenced including three to four months imprisonment on Count I, nine to 12 months on Count II, 24 to 48 months on Count III and 48 to 96 months on Count IV, all to be served concurrently. She was given credit for 113 days previously served.

Provided Dow loses none of the good time to which she is entitled, she must serve 24 months, less 113 days, before becoming eligible for parole and 48 months, less 113 days, before mandatory release.

She was remanded to the custody of Holt County sheriff Ben Matchett to be transported to the Nebraska Center for Women near York.

Kozisec found Dow’s criminal history began at age 12, with crimes ranging from drug and alcohol use to property crimes to crimes that threatened public safety.

“The court has no doubt you will engage in further criminal activity,” he said. “You pose a substantial risk to the public. Imprisonment is necessary for the protection of the public. Hopefully correctional treatment will accomplish what we have not.”

Dow was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith.

Roger Z. Stewart, 40, of Plainview appeared for sentencing on five crimes committed last October. Kozisec fined Stewart $1,500 for Count I, possession of methamphetamine, a Class 4 felony; $50 for Count II, possession open alcohol container, an infraction; $100 for Count III, possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction; $300 for Count IV, possession of marijuana, an infraction; and $25 for Count V, speeding. He was taxed $147 costs.

Stewart pleaded no contest April 3 to the charges in an amended information filed by Holt County attorney Brent Kelly as. Part of a plea deal. Kelly reduced Count I from a Class 1D felony, possession of 10-27 grams of meth.

Stewart was arrested Oct. 27, 2023, by a Nebraska State Patrol officer who stopped him for speeding east of O’Neill on Highway 20.

He was represented by Smith.