Criminal cases were heard in both Custer County District Court and Custer County Court on Thursday, September 26th.
Appearing in District Court was Drake Conroy, age 26 of Merna. Conroy appeared for an arraignment on a charge of aggravated DUI, 4th offense, a Class IIA felony. The defendant pleaded not guilty and a jury trial was scheduled for February 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Darrin L. Ostrander, age 30 of Broken Bow, was in District Court for hearings on his Motion to Suppress and a Motion Pursuant to Statute 27-412. Ostrander is facing one count of alleged first-degree sexual assault, a Class II felony and had previously entered a not-guilty plea. His case is set for a jury trial on October 15th. The defendant’s attorney, Matthew Furrow, presented argument and entered evidence during both hearings as did Custer County Attorney, Steven Bowers. Judge Noakes took the motions under advisement.
Making his first appearance in Custer County Court on Monday was Eric Alvarado, age 34 of California. Alvarado is charged with the following: Count I, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, a Class III felony; Count II, possession of a controlled substance, a Class IV felony; Count III, fictitious plates, a Class III misdemeanor; Count IV, possession of paraphernalia, an infraction; and Count V, being a habitual criminal. The charges stem from an arrest in Custer County on September 20th. A preliminary hearing was set for October 28th and a $5,000 cash bond was continued.
