Five criminal cases came before Judge Karin Noakes in Custer County District Court on Thursday, August 22, 2024.
Appearing for an arraignment was Joe L Flores, Jr., age 37 and residence unknown. Flores is charged with Count I, theft by taking, a Class IIA felony, and Count II, being a habitual criminal. Flores pleaded not guilty to both charges and a jury trial was set for October 15, 2024.
Also appearing for arraignment was Jesse L. Menzie, age 48 of Sargent. The State told the court that a motion to determine competency had been filed. Judge Noakes sustained the motion and ordered an evaluation be completed to determine competency.
Appearing on a motion to revoke probation was Christina M. Page, age 44 of Loup City. Page was sentenced to four years of probation in March of 2023, after being found guilty of unauthorized use of financial transaction device, a Class IV felony. The State alleges that Page has violated terms of her probation and asks that her probation sentence be revoked. Page requested a public defender and a hearing was set for September 19th. She was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.
Michael D. Larreau, age 28 of Arnold, appeared for a competency hearing and waived his right to counsel. The State entered into evidence a recent Lincoln Regional Center report regarding the defendant’s competency status. After reviewing the report and hearing from Larreau, Judge Noakes ordered the defendant be returned to the Lincoln Regional Center to participate in a competency restoration program. A competency progress hearing was set for October 24, 2024.
The final criminal case of the day was a review hearing to determine competency for Steven A. Olson, age 71 of Broken Bow. Noakes reviewed the report submitted by the Lincoln Regional Center, entered the report as evidence, and found the defendant not yet competent to stand trial. He was ordered to return to the Lincoln Regional Center and continue participation in the competency restoration program. Olson will return to court on October 24, 2024 for another competency review.
