Robert M. Gotschall, 36, of Atkinson faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O'Neill last Tuesday, Feb. 2, for a preliminary hearing on a felony charge, abuse of a vulnerable adult.

Pursuant to a plea deal with Holt County prosecutor Brent Kelly, Gotschall entered a no contest plea to a reduced charge, third-degree assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Burdick found Gotschall guilty and sentenced him to 60 days in the Holt County Jail, with credit for 56 days previously served, and taxed him $50 costs of prosecution.

Gotschall was arrested by a Holt County deputy Sept. 28, 2020, after his father called 911, alleging the younger Gotschall had been drinking and, during an argument, there had been a fight.

Bond was set at $75,000, 10% cash, with a condition for no contact with his father nor be at the rural Atkinson residence. Bond was modified to $7,500, personal recognizance, Nov. 22, 2020, with the same conditions, and he was granted a medical furlough to obtain substance abuse treatment in a short-term residential program. Bond was again modified Dec. 22, with the no-contact provisions removed.

Gotschall was represented by Holt County public defender Rodney Smith of O'Neill.

Trey A. German, 20, of O'Neill appeared for sentencing on three Class 3 misdemeanor counts, as well as a bond forfeiture hearing.

Burdick fined German $50 on Count I, no operator's license, $200 on Count II, drive under suspension, and $200 for Count III, failure to appear. The judge denied a state motion to forfeit German's first bond, $3,000, 10%, posted Oct. 11, 2020. Instead, he ordered the bond released, with the $270 held by the county applied to fines and costs. German's second bond, $3,000, 10%, posted Jan. 28 this year, was ordered to be held until fines and costs are paid in full.

German was cited for the first two counts April 29, 2020. He failed to appear for his initial court date of May 16, 2020. Kelly filed an amended complaint June 16, 2020, adding Count III. A warrant for German's arrest was signed by Burdick Aug. 17, 2020, and he was arrested Oct. 11, 2020. German appeared before Burdick Nov. 3, 2020, pleaded guilty to all three counts and was ordered to appear for sentencing Jan. 5, when he again failed to appear in court. A second arrest warrant, signed by Burdick that day, was served Jan. 27.

German was self-represented.

Christopher A. Lucas, 18, of Newport faced Burdick on four counts alleged Nov. 14, 2020, Count I, possession of open alcohol container, an infraction; Count II, carry concealed weapon (pistol), first offense, a Class 1 misdemeanor; Count III, loaded shotgun in vehicle, a Class 3 misdemeanor; and Count IV, minor in possession of alcohol, under 19, first offense, a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Lucas pleaded guilty to counts III and IV, pursuant to a plea agreement. In return, Kelly dismissed counts I and II.

Burdick fined Lucas $150 on Count III, $250 on Count IV and assessed him $50 costs of prosecution.

Lucas was represented by Smith.

Wayne A. Frost, 46, of Atkinson pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a Class 3 misdemeanor count, second-degree criminal trespass. He was cited by a Holt County deputy for the crime committed Nov. 9, 2020, north of Stuart. Frost was fined $100 and $49 costs.

Frost had previously contested the charge, requesting a trial. He was offered a deal by Kelly. In exchange for his guilty plea, two additional cases would be dismissed, contingent on Frost paying all costs.

Frost was cited by a Nebraska Game and Parks officer Nov. 17, 2020, for hunting without permission, north of Stuart, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and violating deer regulations, in Atkinson. Costs of $49 in each of the NGPC cases were paid by Frost on Feb. 1.

Burdick presided over a trial on a contested traffic citation last week, as well.

Joshua P. Davis, 44, of Central City was cited for two commercial vehicle violations Dec. 2, 2020, by a Nebraska State Patrol carrier enforcement officer, near Cubby's in O'Neill.

He pleaded not guilty to the Class 3 misdemeanor counts, a CMV marking violation and a tire steer violation.

After considering evidence, Burdick found Davis guilty of both counts, fined him $50 and $75, respectively, and taxed him $49 costs.

Davis was self-represented.

Lindsey A. Rokahr, 38, of Ewing pleaded guilty to a pair of September offenses, by waiver, last week. Rokahr indicated to court staff that she did not own the vehicle and was under the impression that the owner had paid the ticket.

She was fined $25 for no valid registration and $50 for no proof of ownership, in addition to $49 costs. Rokahr was cited in O'Neill on Sept. 7, 2020.

Lorretta L. Spangler, 48, of Ewing pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a Class 3 misdemeanor count of littering. She was fined $100 and assessed $49 costs. She was cited in Ewing on Dec. 28, 2020.

Grant L. Gydesen, 25, of Ord pleaded guilty by waiver, to driving too fast for conditions and possession of an open alcohol container. He was fined $100 and $50, respectively, and assessed $49 costs. Gydesen was cited Jan. 30, following a rollover accident near the intersection of Highway 281 and 870 Road.

William E. Roberts, 33, of O'Neill pleaded guilty, by waiver, to possession of drug paraphernalia and was fined $100 and $49 costs. He was cited Dec. 28, 2020, in O'Neill.