Custer County Court was in session on Monday, January 6, 2025, with Judge Tami Schendt presiding.
Appearing on arraignments for arrests on January 3, 2025, were Jimmy Mortensen, age 61 of Oconto; Jonathan Beattie, age 35 of Oconto; Francisca Miller, age 38 of Broken Bow; and Alexxis R. Shimko, age 28, also of Broken Bow. Mortensen and Miller are charged with three counts—possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, a Class II felony; possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Class IV felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. Shimko is charged with two counts—possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Class IV felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. Beattie is charged with three counts—possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Class IV felony; being a habitual criminal; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. Bonds for Miller, Shimko, and Beattie remained at $50,000 with 10% privilege. After a bond hearing for Mortensen, Judge Schendt reduced his bond to $30,000 with 10% privilege. All defendants will appear for preliminary hearings on January 27th at 3:00 p.m.
Also appearing for an arraignment was Joshua Stiebritz, age 45 of Broken Bow. Stiebritz is charged with five counts stemming from an arrest on January 3rd: Count I, possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Class IV felony; Count II, driving under suspension, a Class III misdemeanor; Count III, no operator’s license, a Class III misdemeanor; Count IV, use of a handheld communication device while driving, an infraction; and Count V, possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. Bond for Stiebritz was set at $25,000 with 10% privilege and his preliminary hearing will be February 10th at 2:30 p.m.
Logan D. Brown, age 30 of Broken Bow, appeared for a preliminary hearing. The State said a plea agreement had been reached and Brown pleaded no contest to 3rd degree domestic assault. Judge Schendt ordered a presentence investigation be completed prior to sentencing on March 24th at 2:00 p.m.
A plea agreement was also reached in the case of Brian W. Hartman, age 54 of Broken Bow. Judge Schendt found the defendant guilty of 3rd degree domestic assault and ordered him to one year of probation.
