Several cases involving felony charges were on the Custer County Court docket for Monday, May 4th.
Cole Anderson, age 40 of Broken Bow, was charged with two counts of possession of controlled substance, methamphetamine, both Class IV felonies. The charges stem from an arrest on March 30th of this year. Andrew Hanquist was appointed as defense attorney and a preliminary hearing was set for May 15th. Anderson was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.
Donielle N. Hopkins, age 43 of Broken Bow, waived her right to a preliminary hearing. Her case was bound over to Custer County District Court where she’ll appear on May 21st. Hopkins is charged with possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Class IV felony, as a result of her arrest on March 30th.
Also bound over to Custer County District Court for May 21st hearings were two cases involving Johnnie F. Mason, age 51 of Broken Bow. In one case, Mason was charged with possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, and tampering with evidence, both Class IV felonies. The other case also involves possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine. Mason waived his right to preliminary hearings in both cases. Bond was continued and he was remanded to the custody of the Custer County Sheriff.
Samuel F. Johnstone, age 41 of Colorado Springs, Colorado, pleaded guilty to an amended complaint of attempted possession of a controlled substance, a Class I misdemeanor. In March, Johnstone was originally charged with a Class IV felony, attempted possession of a controlled substance. Judge Tami Schendt sentenced the defendant to a $1,000 fine and costs.
Appearing in court on Monday afternoon was Austin R. Welty, age 33 of Broken Bow. Welty faces several counts, including terroristic threats, a Class IIIA felony. The other counts of criminal mischief, leaving the scene of an accident, and careless driving are misdemeanors or infractions. The charges are the result of a car accident that happened on April 5, 2026. Welty waived his right to a preliminary hearing in exchange for a bond reduction to $25,000 with 10% privilege. The case was bound over to the Custer County District Court where he’s scheduled to appear on May 21st. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the Custer County Sheriff.
