CUSTER COUNTY—A morning and afternoon session of County Court was held at the Judicial Center in Broken Bow on Monday. Mitchell D. Porter, 27, of Broken Bow, appeared in County Court for driving under the influence of alcohol—third offense, aggravated, a class IIIA felony. Porter could face a maximum three years in prison, post-release supervision, and/or a $10,000 fine, and a 15-year license revocation. Preliminary hearing was scheduled for May 21.
Stephen P. Riley, 56, also faces charges of driving under the influence—third offense, aggravated, a class IIIA felony. The Broken Bow man is scheduled to appear back in court on June 4.
Acacia Lash, 30, appeared for incidents that took place back in January 2013 according to Judge Tami Schendt. She allegedly broke into a Berwyn home in January 2013 and is now being charged with burglary and theft, class III and IV felonies. Lash is also facing charges of second degree forgery, a class III felony, for an April 2013 incident. Mike Borders was appointed as her attorney and preliminary hearings were scheduled for June 4.
Abigail R. McKinzie, 23, of Callaway appeared for charges of child abuse and terrorist threats—both class IIIA felonies. She was appointed an attorney and issued a PR bond of $1,000. McKinzie is scheduled to appear back in court on June 4.
An area youth made his first appearance in County Court for alleged vehicle theft. The youth was allegedly involved in the December 30 car theft in which three teens from the Youth Rehabilitation Training Center (YRTC) in Kearney escaped and stole vehicles in Kearney and Broken Bow, ending in a rollover accident. A motion to transfer the case to adult court will be heard on June 18.
In the afternoon, multiple preliminary hearings were continued. Matthew C. Thomas, 32, of Callaway and David Alvarez each continued preliminary hearings.
According to court records, Holli J. Erstrom, 50, is being charged in Custer County Court with felony theft of more than $5,000. The Callaway woman and her attorney Thomas S. Stewart waived preliminary hearing and the case was bound over to District Court, with a scheduled appearance on June 21.
Mason City man Bruce L. Hahn, 62, also waived preliminary hearing for charges of animal neglect. He will appear in District Court on May 17.
Melody Hardin of Litchfield will appear in District Court on May 17. The 53-year-old waived Monday’s preliminary hearing for charges of first degree arson (class II felony) and burglary (class IIA felony), according to court records.
