Texas man's plea in abatement denied

Joaquin S. Echeverria, 28, of Brenham, Texas, (in custody) appeared in the Antelope County district courtroom in Neligh on July 31 for further arraignment on a Class 1C felony, possession of more than 28 grams of methamphetamine, with intent to deliver. If convicted, he faces up to 50 years of incarceration, with a five-year mandatory minimum. No good time is awarded to mandatory minimum time. He pleaded not guilty and requested jury trial.

The Honorable James Kube set pretrial hearing Aug. 28 and jury trial, Oct. 21. Echeverria is represented by Antelope County public defender Pat Carney.

Echeverria was remanded to Moore’s custody, pending posting 10% of a $100,000 bond.

Echeverria allegedly possessed between 74 and 76 grams of methamphetamine when he was stopped for speeding Feb. 19. He had previously entered a not guilty plea, then was later allowed to withdraw the plea, pending Kube’s deliberation on a plea in abatement filed in May. The motion for abatement was recently denied.

Douglas J. Jacobs, 32, of Oakdale, appeared for arraignment on two charges, Count I, a Class 4 felony bound over from Antelope County Court, possession of meth, and Count II, second-degree criminal trespass, A Class 3 misdemeanor. Jacobs entered not guilty pleas to both charges. Pretrial hearing is set Aug. 28, with a jury trial placed on the docket for Oct. 21. Bond is continued in the amount of $10,000, 10%. He is represented by Carney.

Jacob’s co-defendant, Shayla N. Prochaska, 32, of Brunswick, had her arraignment continued to Aug. 28. Her charges include a Class 4 felony, possession of meth, bound over from county court, along with child abuse/neglect, a Class 3 misdemeanor.

She is represented by court-appointed counsel, Ryan Stover of Norfolk.

According to an arrest affidavit filed by Antelope County deputy Trent Howard, he discovered a parked vehicle while patrolling the Oakdale Cemetery. He observed a female child sleeping in the vehicle and requested deputy Shelby Keetle’s assistance. Bags found in the vehicle were suspected to contain narcotics. When Keetle arrived, the child was awakened and allegedly reported her mother was with a male. Jacobs and Prochaska were allegedly located in “old outhouses” on the property. The deputy reported Prochaska appeared to be “very high, with pale skin, dilated pupils and was “foaming at the mouth, having “what appeared to be whitish residue running from the corner of her mouth.”

Jacobs initially “just hid in the bathroom.” Two bags of white crystalline powder and crystals were seized from his pocket and later tested positive for meth.

Jake Short, 24, of Norfolk appeared on allegations he violated terms of probation. Short requested court-appointed counsel. Kube appointed Carney and continued the hearing to Aug. 28.

Short was sentenced to a 24-month term of specialized substance abuse supervision for an attempted possession of cocaine conviction in September 2023.

He allegedly failed to report for chemical testing twice in July, missed a required test and then tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine and fentanyl.

Christopher B. Brady, 33, of Oakdale, accompanied by Carney, appeared for pretrial hearing on a Class 3A felony, third-degree domestic assault, second offense, alleged May 13 in Elgin. A plea deal was announced by Carney.

Brady pleaded guilty to an amended count, a Class I misdemeanor, third-degree domestic assault. Kube re-arraigned him on the new charge. Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith said the reduction was at the request of the victim, who was present in the courtroom. Carney again asked Kube to amend bond conditions to allow Brady to have contact with the victim. Brady told Kube he was living with his mother in O’Neill but wanted to go back home.

Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith objected. Kube removed the no contract provision, with bond continued at $10,000, 10%. Sentencing is set Sept. 25.