CUSTER COUNTY— The man who has been charged for alleged 1st-degree sexual assault of a child (class IB felony) and most recently two counts of alleged cruelty of an animal (each a class IIIA felony) will now have his case heard in Custer County District Court after waiving preliminary hearing in Custer County Court.
Branden Miller, 26 of Broken Bow, made his appearance for preliminary hearing in county court along with his attorney Gary Peterson. Peterson informed Judge Tami Schendt that his client would waive his preliminary hearing as he felt there was no reason to make the state do the hearing.
Miller will now appear in Custer County District Court on February 20 at 9:30 AM. If convicted of all charges, Miller could spend between fifteen years to life in prison.
Thomas Pierce, 36 of Arnold, made his appearance in Custer County Court facing charges of alleged theft of more than $1,500, but less than $5,000 (class IV felony), unauthorized use of a propelled vehicle (class III misdemeanor), and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person (class ID felony).
Pierce, along with his attorney Michael Borders, asked for a preliminary hearing on the alleged charges which will be held on April 6 at 2:30 PM. If found guilty of all charges, Pierce could face a maximum of over 52 years in prison and be fined $10,500 or a mandatory minimum of three years in prison.
