The Custer County Court docket on Tuesday, July 22nd, involved just one case. Appearing for his preliminary hearing was Jared J. Meister, age 38 of Rising City. Meister is charged with theft by unlawful taking in an amount over $5,000, a Class IIA felony. The charge stems from an investigation into the disappearance of a blonde bison bull belonging to Mitch and Roxanne Huggins, owners of the Comstock Premier Lodge located in Custer County. Dion Neumiller, criminal investigator for the Nebraska State Patrol, took the witness stand and was questioned by both Kayla Clark, Deputy Custer County Attorney, and John Icenogle, attorney for the defendant. Neumiller recounted details about his investigation into the disappearance of the bison bull and his follow-up conversations about a blonde bison head mount with a taxidermist in Schuyler, as well as with the defendant. Neumiller also testified about an anomaly on the animal’s right horn. Photos of the mount and the missing bison were sent to a veterinary professor at Texas A&M University for examination. The professor determined they were likely the same animal. Judge Tami Schendt ruled the State presented evidence showing a crime had been committed and the defendant likely committed the crime. The case was bound over to Custer County District Court where the defendant will appear for arraignment on August 7th at 9:30 a.m.
Meister Felony Case Bound Over to Custer County District Court
