Custer County District Court was held on Thursday, March 6th, with Judge Karin Noakes presiding.
Appearing for sentencing was Caleb D. Grant, age 19 of Ansley. On January 16th, Grant entered pleas of no contest to two counts of 3rd degree assault, Class I misdemeanors, in exchange for the dismissal of two other counts. A presentence investigation (PSI) was ordered and the PSI recommendation was for probation and restitution. After reviewing the PSI, Judge Noakes commented on the severity of the assault that had originally resulted in four charges, two of which were felonies. Noakes noted the defendant had not shown remorse nor had he taken any accountability for the incident. She also questioned if probation would be beneficial as the defendant had been on and off probation since 2019. The Judge sentenced Grant to nine months in jail on Count 1, 30 days in jail for Count 2, and restitution. The sentences are concurrent. The defendant was credited for 89 days he had already spent in jail.
Also appearing for sentencing was Elijah D. Conner, age 20 of Ord. A plea agreement in the case was reached in January when the defendant pleaded guilty to Count III, child abuse, a Class I misdemeanor. A presentence investigation was received and Judge Noakes followed the PSI recommendation, sentencing Conner to two years of probation.
A hearing to withdraw a plea was held for Shelby R. Butzke, age 31 of Kearney. In February of 2023, Butzke pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, a Class IV felony, and at that time was accepted in problem solving court. Recently, Ms. Butzke successfully completed problem solving court and the State requested dismissal of the case. Judge Noakes granted the request.
