Appearing for sentencing in Custer County District Court on Thursday, January 8th, was Sam Payton, age 47 of Callaway. In November of 2025, the Court found Payton had violated terms of his probation and ordered a new presentence investigation. Payton had been placed on probation in March of 2024, after being found guilty of making terroristic threats, a Class IIIA felony. At that time, Payton was sentenced to 18 months incarceration in the Custer County Jail, and ordered to serve 12 months of supervised probation after his release. During Thursday’s sentencing, the State argued that they believed time served was an appropriate sentence and Judge Karin Noakes followed their recommendation. Payton was sentenced to 148 days incarceration and given credit for 148 days already served. He was also ordered to pay costs in the amount of $526.
A hearing on a motion to dispose of evidence in the case of the State v. Carsen W. Wilson was also on the docket. A motion filed by the State asked that the firearm used in the commission of the crime be destroyed and Judge Noakes sustained the motion. In July of 2025, Wilson, age 20 of Broken Bow, was found guilty on two counts of terroristic threats (both IIIA felonies) as a result of a plea agreement with the State. Wilson’s charges stemmed from events that occurred in October 2024 near Merna.
