Three arraignments and a sentencing took place at Custer County District Court on Thursday morning.
Connie Ulmer, 50 of Broken Bow, appeared on four charges of theft on amounts larger than $5,000. Each charge is a class IIA felony. A class IIA felony holds no minimum sentence and a maximum of 20 years imprisonment. Ulmer is accused of taking money from the Broken Bow Booster Club totaling $45,494.09 during her time as treasurer for the organization. She pled not guilty on all four charges. Jury trial was set for October 25th, 2021 at 9 am with a pretrial set for September 2021. Ulmer’s attorney informed the court that he doesn’t anticipate the case going to trial.
Donna Lechleitner, 20, appeared for her arraignment on charges of terroristic threats (IIIA felony) and second degree false imprisonment (I misdemeanor). The terroristic threats charge carries no minimum possible sentence and a maximum of 3 years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine. Second degree false imprisonment has no minimum sentence and a maximum of 1 year imprisonment. Lechleitner pled not guilty to both charges and jury trial was set for October 25th, 2021 at 9 am.
Brice Carpenter, 26 of Anselmo, appeared for arraignment on a charge of 3rd degree assault by a confined person, a class IIIA felony. It is alleged that on April 14, 2021, Carpenter engaged in a physical altercation with another inmate, Trent Esch. The IIIA felony holds no minimum sentence and a maximum of 3 years imprisonment.
The state also submitted that they believe that Carpenter is a habitual criminal, a charge that has a minimum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of 60 years imprisonment. Carpenter entered denial on the habitual criminal submission and pled not guilty to the assault charge. The state requested and was granted a 10% of $50,000 bond. Carpenter’s jury trial was also set for October 25th, 2021.
The lone sentencing in district court Thursday was for Chelsea Brass, age 28. Brass recently appeared in court on April 9th, when a motion was filed to terminate her from problem solving court. She had admitted to the violations. Relating to the termination, Brass appeared on a charge of possession with intent to deliver, a class II felony. The state argued that problem solving court had exhausted many resources and had not worked, suggesting incarceration.
Brass’s attorney Mike Borders spoke next, explaining that this is the first felony that Brass has committed, and that it was nonviolent. He said that they understand that the minimum sentence was 1 year incarceration, but asked for credit for 128 days served with that sentence should it be given.
Judge Noakes talked about what she observed as poor motivation by Brass in the pre sentence investigation, stating that she never fully immersed herself in the program and didn’t appear motivated to address her behavior. Noakes sentenced Brass to a period of 18 months to 3 years incarceration with credit for 128 days served. Brass must serve a minimum of 9 months minus 128 days with good behavior.
