Custer County District Court was in session on Thursday, September 24th, with Judge Karin Noakes presiding.
Brian V. Haumont II, age 34 of Hershey, appeared for a pretrial hearing. Defense attorney Matt Furrow said a plea agreement had been reached with the State. In exchange for a no contest plea in Count 1, 2nd degree forgery of over $1,500 but less than $5,000, a Class IV felony, the State would dismiss Counts 2-19. An updated presentence investigation was ordered and sentencing was set for October 29th. In February 2024, Haumont was charged with the above Class IV felony as well as eighteen Class IIA felonies–nine counts of 2nd degree forgery ($5,000 or more) and nine counts of identity theft ($5,000 or more).
Appearing for a pretrial hearing via Zoom, was Sara W. Henderson, age 41 of Wellfleet. An amended charge resulted in a plea agreement in her case. The defendant pleaded no contest to one count of burglary, a Class IIA felony, and the charge of habitual criminal was dropped by the State. The Court found Henderson guilty and sentencing will be held on October 29th. The case stems from an arrest in July of 2025.
Shali D. Chavez, age 37 of Broken Bow, also appeared for a pretrial hearing. In May of this year, Chavez was charged with possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Class IV felony. She pleaded not guilty to the charge during a court appearance in August. On Thursday, the defendant changed her plea to guilty as she has been accepted into the North Central Problem Solving Court. Judge Noakes accepted the guilty plea and deferred sentencing until the defendant completes drug court or until she leaves the program prior to completion.
Several other arraignments and pretrial hearings that were on the docket were continued at the request of defense attorneys.
