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The Honorable Mark Kozisec sentenced a 19-year-old O’Neill man last week in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill, for crimes committed Aug. 5, 2021.

Drake D. Ruegge was sentenced to four years of probation and 90 days in the county jail, with credit for four days previously served, for Count I, possession of a controlled substance (oxycodone), a Class 4 felony, along with probation for Count IV, third-degree domestic assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor. As part of his probation, Ruegge was ordered to initiate in-patient alcoholism/mental health treatment within 45 days, complete the required program and reside in a transitional-living facility until satisfactorily discharged. Any remaining term of incarceration will be vacated upon his admission to the treatment facility. He was ordered to pay probation fees totaling $1,470 and $147 costs of prosecution.

Ruegge pleaded no contest to the two crimes May 9, pursuant to a plea agreement with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly. In return, Kelly dismissed two Class 4 felony charges, possession of a controlled substance (alprazolam) and tampering with evidence; agreed to file no further charges in the case and to seek no restitution. Ruegge was represented by Martin Klein of Neligh, who was appointed by the court.