It was a busy day in Custer County District Court on Thursday, May 21st. Judge Karin Noakes presided over the cases.
Jennifer L. Nielsen, age 51 of Broken Bow, appeared for a pretrial hearing. The State amended the original charge of theft by unlawful taking of $5,000 or more, a Class IIA felony, to theft by unlawful taking of over $1,500 but less than $5,000, a Class IV felony. Nielsen pleaded no contest to the amended charge and agreed to make restitution to Central Nebraska Medical Clinic in the amount of $9,088.22. Nebraska statutes only allow a 3-year window on such losses and the restitution equals losses from 2021-2024. A presentence investigation and sentencing was set for July 30th.
Also appearing for pretrial hearings in two cases was Justin D. Slagle, age 28 of Sargent. A plea agreement was reached resulting in the dismissal of one case. Per the plea agreement, Slagle pleaded guilty to two separate counts of terroristic threats, Class IIIA felonies, in the second case and two other charges in that case were dismissed. Slagle has been accepted to problem solving court with sentencing deferred until completion of the program.
Brandon J. Fewkes, age 40 of Merna, was in court for a pretrial hearing. The State announced original charges of terroristic threats, use of a weapon to commit a felony, child abuse, and 3rd degree domestic assault, had been amended per a plea agreement. Fewkes pleaded no contest to the amended charges of child abuse, a Class I misdemeanor, and disturbing the peace, a Class III misdemeanor. Judge Noakes found the defendant guilty of both counts and ordered a presentence investigation. Sentencing was set for July 2nd.
Appearing for an arraignment was Taylor R. Capps, age 40 of Broken Bow. Capps pleaded not guilty to two counts–possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Class IV felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. Capps has been approved for drug court and a status conference was set for May 28th.
Donielle N. Hopkins, age 43 of Broken Bow, was in court for an arraignment. The defendant pleaded not guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Class IV felony. A jury trial was set for October 19th. Hopkins is awaiting an evaluation and referral to drug court.
Appearing for arraignment in two cases was Johnnie F. Mason, age 51 of Broken Bow. The State announced a plea agreement had been reached resulting in the dismissal of one case. Per the plea agreement, Mason pleaded no contest to one Class IV felony count of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, in the other case. A charge of tampering with evidence in that case was also dismissed. The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to serve 120 days in jail with 57 days credit. Mason was remanded to the custody of the Custer County Sheriff.
Austin R. Welty, age 33 of Broken Bow, was arraigned on six counts, including terroristic threats, a Class IIIA felony. Welty pleaded not guilty to all counts and a jury trial was scheduled for October 19th. A bond hearing was requested by the defendant’s attorney and bond was reduced to $15,000 with 10% privilege.
