By Sandy Schroth
Editor 

Felony cases bound over, fines ordered for misdemeanors

 

September 9, 2021



Jennifer A. Blevins, 35, of Pierce, who was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on a Class 4 felony count, possession of a

controlled substance, methamphetamine, alleged May 14 north of Oakdale, waived her right to the hearing and was bound over to Antelope County district court by the Honorable Donna Taylor last week.

She is set for arraignment in district court Sept. 29. Bond, posted May 15, in the amount of $10,000, 10% cash, was continued.

She is represented by Antelope County public defender Melissa Figueroa.

A motion for continuance, filed on behalf of co-defendant A. Jared Blevins, 36, by his court-appointed attorney, Brad Montag of Norfolk, was granted by Taylor. The motion cited additional time needed to complete a plea agreement.

AJ Blevins had posted bond, in the amount of $10,000, 10%, May 16, which was later revoked but subsequently reinstated.

However, he is currently held in the Pierce County Jail on 10% of bonds in two cases, $300,000 on two counts, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person and terroristic threats, and $100,000 for two counts of second-degree assault, Class 2A felonies alleged June 3.

George M. Kelly, 28, of Topeka, Kansas, appeared for a preliminary hearing on two Class 3A felony counts of violating requirements of the Sex Offender Registration Act, alleged March 15 and April 1.

Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler, who alleges Kelly failed to register his residence as 205 L Street, called two witnesses to the stand, Nebraska State Patrol investigator Brad Higgins and Neligh chief of police Michael Wright.

Higgins said he was asked to investigate a possible SORA violation after Kelly failed to update his Madison County registration April 14. Registered as a transient in Madison County, he is required to check in every 30 days. Higgins testified that Kelly had listed his address as 205 L Street in Neligh during an April 12 traffic stop. He also said he had contacted the owners of the Neligh house and Kelly’s girlfriend, who all confirmed he resided at the address.

Wright testified that Kelly had called him, on two occasions, asking if he could reside at the Neligh home. Wright said he verified a licensed daycare is located within 500 feet, with just an alley separating the properties, and that he advised Kelly that he would not be allowed to reside there.

Taylor found sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial and bound the case over to Antelope County district court, with arraignment set Sept. 29.

A $5,000 personal recognizance bond is continued, with conditions allowing him to reside and work in Kansas. Kelly is represented by Figueroa.

Taylor fined four individuals, two whose cases were resolved with plea deals.

Grant W. Buck, 20, of Albion appeared for a pretrial hearing on Count I, obstructing government operations, a Class 1 misdemeanor and Count II, disturbing the peace. A plea agreement was announced.

In return for Buck’s no contest plea to Count II, Abler dismissed Count I.

Abler said if the case had gone to trial, he would have provided evidence that Antelope County sheriff Robert Moore was called to Main Street in Clearwater by June 26 concert security personnel, who reported he was “highly intoxicated, creating a disturbance and refusing to leave. Abler said he became belligerent during booking procedures at the Antelope County Jail, to the extent that it became “impossible to complete other bookings.”

“I am surprised that Mr. Abler would dismiss Count I, as opposed to Count II,” Taylor said to Buck after finding him guilty

of Count II. Buck, who was representedby Figueroa, was fined him $500 and $50 costs.

Damien M. Knight, 21, of Neligh also reached a plea deal with Abler and pleaded no contest to Count 2, reckless driving, a Class 3 misdemeanor. In return Abler dismissed Count I, leave scene of a property-damage accident.

Had the case gone to trial, Abler said he would have provided evidence that Moore was called regarding a rollover accident the morning of May 28, west of the Elgin cemetery, on 841 Avenue. Knight’s vehicle was found in a cornfield, on its wheels and there were 621 feet of skid marks but no one was found at the scene. A call to Knight’s place of employment confirmed he was at work. It was later determined the accident had occurred at 10:30 the previous night.

Figueroa told Taylor that her client had contacted the landowner regarding restitution, which was declined. She said Knight was set to enlist in the US Marine Corps and asked for sentencing that day.

When asked by the judge if he had anything to drink, Knight insisted he had not, even after a reminder that he was under oath. She fined him $500 and $50 costs.

“I wasn’t there, nobody else was there,” Taylor said. “Most people don’t drive like that if they haven’t been drinking.”

Corey A. Williams, 22, of Neligh appeared for arraignment on two counts committed July 30 on Highway 275 near Oakdale. Williams waived his right to counsel and admitted he had no liability insurance, pleading guilty to charges of no proof of financial responsibility, a Class 2 misdemeanor, and speeding, six to 10 miles per hour over the posted limit, an infraction. Taylor fined him $100 and $25, respectively, and assessed $50 costs.

Alexander J. Kuhl, 26, of Pierce was arraigned on two counts, driving under suspension/ before reinstated, and no registration, both Class 3 misdemeanors. Kuhl waived his right to counsel and pleaded no contest to both counts. Kuhl told Taylor his license was suspended due to medical card not being up to date. He provided proof his license had been reinstated and the vehicle had been licensed Aug. 31. Taylor fined him $100 and $25, respectively, along with $50 costs.

 

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