Twenty-year old's sentences climb to nine years

A young Holt County man will spend more time in the state prison. Ethan J. Peterson, 20, Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, Lincoln, who was. already serving consecutive sentences from Holt and Pierce counties, was back in the Holt County district courtroom in O’Neill last Monday, Aug. 12, to be sentenced for crimes committed Dec. 15, 2023.

The Honorable Mark Kozisec sentenced Peterson to 24 months in prison on each of four Class 4 felony counts, possession of a destructive device, possession of cocaine, possession of methamphetamine, and possession of THC, as well as possession of a deadly weapon during commission of a felony, a Class 3 felony. The sentences are ordered concurrent to each other but consecutive to the sentences he was serving (sentenced to total of 48 months in March 2024 in Holt County and 36 months in May 2024, in Pierce County).

Peterson was given credit for two days previously served. He was also fined $300 for possession of marijuana, an infraction, and assessed $137 costs of prosecution. Kozisec also ordered 18-month terms of post release supervision on each crime, ordered concurrent to each other and to PRS ordered in the previous Holt County sentence.

Peterson pleaded guilty July 15 after entering a plea bargain with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly. In return, an additional case was dropped and Kelly agreed to file no additional charges in arising from the specific dates of the two cases.

Peterson was represented by court-appointed counsel, Martin Klein of Neligh.

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A 45-year old Newman Grove man was also sentenced last week.

Luke A. Swanson faced Kozisec on four crimes committed Sept. 9, 2023 - Count I, speeding, 75 mph in 65 zone, an infraction; Count II, driving under the influence of alcohol, third offense, a Class 3A felony; Count III, possession open alcohol container, an infraction; and Count IV, DUI with passenger under 16, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

The judge ordered a four-year term of probation, with 60 days in the county jail on Count II and 30 days on Count IV, consecutively. He was given credit for one day previously served. Swanson was also fined $25 on Count I, $1,000 on Count II, $100 on Count III and $500 on Count IV and ordered to pay $147 costs and $1,470 in probation-related fees over the four years. His driver’s license was revoked for five years, with provisions for ignition interlock after 45 days.

Probation conditions also include orders to continue outpatient treatment until successfully completed; attend at least two AA meetings per week and maintain weekly contact with sponsor and use of continuous alcohol monitoring device for 60 days, commencing with release from jail.

Swanson pleaded guilty June 18 pursuant to a plea deal with Kelly, who reduced Count II from DUI, fourth offense, a Class 2A felony.