CUSTER COUNTY—Holli J. Erstrom, 50, of Callaway, appeared in District Court on Thursday and pled not guilty to a class IIA felony theft in the amount of $5,000 or more. The alleged theft took place in November of 2017 from the Callaway branch of Country Partners Cooperative. A motion for discovery by attorney Thomas S. Stewart was sustained and a jury trial is currently scheduled for October. Erstrom could face a maximum of 20 years imprisonment.
Another Callaway woman facing theft charges was originally scheduled to appear on Thursday but the case of Kelli Estergard, 58, had been continued prior to Thursday’s District Court session.
Gabriel C. Beck, 18, pled not guilty to possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) with intent to deliver (class IIA felony) and possession of amphetamine (class IV felony), stemming from a March 2018 incident. A progression conference for the Broken Bow man was scheduled for July.
Twenty-six-year-old Lincoln woman Amber D. Grant appeared for sentencing after having previously been found guilty of possession of methamphetamine (class IV felony) for a December 2017 incident. County Attorney Steve Bowers asked the court to give credit for time served in jail and for Grant to return to Missouri. Judge Karin Noakes sentenced Grant to 204 days in jail with credit for 204 days served and nine months of post-release supervision.
Another Lincoln woman was sentenced to 204 days in jail with credit for 204 days served and nine months of post-release supervision. Jessie J. Shafer, 29, was found guilty in May of third degree assault on an officer and possession of a controlled substance, felonies stemming from a December 2017 incident.
Bowers asked the court for credit for time served in jail and said he believes Shafer is sincere at wanting help after previous substance abuse problems. Shafer’s attorney Chris Wickham expressed to Judge Noakes that he feels substance abuse is the root of problems for Shafer and that she has expressed remorse and wants to break the cycle of jail and substance abuse. Wickham said Shafer comes from a broken home and asked for time served because of her sincerity and willingness to do better and spend time with her child. Shafer made a statement apologizing for taking up the community’s time.
