In Custer County District Court news from Thursday, January 22nd, Virgilio Moran Rivera, age 54 of Lexington, appeared for a pretrial hearing. The defendant pleaded not guilty to two charges—assault by strangulation, a Class IIIA felony, and 3rd degree assault, a Class I misdemeanor. The charges stem from an incident that occurred in May of 2025. Moran Rivera waived his right to a jury trial and requested a bench trial. A pretrial conference in the case was set for March 19th.
Appearing for arraignment was Roy L. Poff, age 52 of Broken Bow. Poff is charged with one count of theft by unlawful taking in the amount of over $5,000, a Class IIA felony. In June of last year, Poff allegedly stole a pickup and trailer in Broken Bow, wrecked them in Sherman County, then stole another pickup in Loup City that was eventually recovered in Kearney. Poff entered a plea of not guilty. A jury trial was set for June 15th.
John T. Anderson V, age 33 of Arapahoe, appeared in court for a pretrial hearing. Parties announced a plea agreement had been reached in the case, with the count of willful reckless driving dismissed and the other charge in the case, motor vehicle homicide, amended to a Class I misdemeanor. Anderson pleaded no contest to the amended charge and was found guilty by Judge Karin Noakes. A presentence investigation was ordered, with sentencing set for March 19th. The case stems from a three-vehicle crash on Highway 2 southwest of Anselmo that resulted in the death of a Texas man.
In court for sentencing was Cody Wenzel-Wolsten, age 31 of Las Vegas, Nevada, formerly of Sargent. The defendant was previously found guilty to an amended charge of child abuse, a Class I misdemeanor. In Nebraska, child abuse is a Class I misdemeanor if the offense is committed negligently and does not result in serious bodily injury. After reviewing the presentence investigation report and comments from the State and defense attorneys, Judge Noakes sentenced Wenzel-Wolsten to two years probation with terms and conditions as set by the Court. He was also sentenced to 14 days in jail, given credit for 14 days served, and ordered to serve 60 days in jail after his probation is completed, unless waived by the Court at that time.
