The Summerland Advocate-Messenger - Reliable, Trustworthy Reporting, Capturing The Heartbeat Of Our Community

Neil R. Nemec, 70, of O’Neill faced the Honorable Kale Burdick in the Holt County courtroom in O’Neill last week for sentencing on two charges, Count I, driving under the influence of alcohol, .08, first offense, a Class W misdemeanor and Count II, careless driving, an infraction.

On Count I, Burdick ordered a six-month term of probation, a $500 fine and revoked his driver’s license for 60 days. He was fined $100 on Count II and taxed $105 costs of prosecution and $210 probation-related fees.

Nemec pleaded guilty Feb. 14, pursuant to a plea agreement with Holt County attorney Brent Kelly. In exchange, Kelly reduced Count I from DUI, +.15, with a joint recommendation for probation.

Nemec was arrested Jan. 6 by an O’Neill officer after he drove his pickup into a snowbank and became stuck. According to an affidavit filed by the officer, Nemec failed field sobriety tests and blew a .146 on a preliminary breath test, with a subsequent Datamaster result of .161. The officer surmised a combination of prescription medication and alcohol led to the defendant’s impairment.

Nemec was represented by Michael Sholes of O’Neill.

Brianna G. Vanderford, 25, of O’Neill also faced Burdick for sentencing. Originally charged with Count I, first-offense DUI and Count II, driving under suspension/before reinstated, Vanderford pleaded guilty Feb. 14 per terms of a plea agreement, to an amended Count I, willful reckless driving and Count II as charged, both Class 3 misdemeanors. Burdick sentenced her to a 12-month term of probation, a $500 fine and revoked her driver’s license for 30 days on Count I and a $100 fine on Count II. She was taxed $50 costs and $390 in probation program fees.

Vanderford was arrested June 21, 2022, by an O’Neill officer who was investigating another matter when she drove up to the residence. According to the officer’s arrest affidavit, Vanderford indicated her driver’s license was revoked for DUI. She allegedly failed field sobriety tests and tested .107 on a preliminary breath test, with a later Datamaster test conducted at the Holt County jail, reading .085.

Vanderford was represented by Holt County public defender Rod Smith.

Mya K. Jenkins, 21, of O’Neill waived her right to counsel and pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of a property-damage accident, a Class 2 misdemeanor, and unsafe backing, an infraction, both committed Feb. 2, in O’Neill. She was fined $100 and $25, respectively, and taxed $50 costs.

Paige X. Williams, 28, of O’Neill waived her right to counsel and pleaded guilty to an O’Neill municipal violation, failure to file rabies certificate, an infraction. She was fined $25 and $49 costs.

Scott D. Novak, 60, of O’Neill pleaded guilty, by waiver, to a Class 2 misdemeanor violation of Nebraska deer regulations. He was fined $100 and assessed $49 costs. Novak was cited by a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission officer Oct. 27, 2022, in rural Holt County.