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

A Neligh woman and a South Dakota man were back in Antelope County courtroom in Neligh recently on charges related to an alleged conspiracy to steal wire from center pivot irrigation systems in Antelope County and perhaps in other counties, according to Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith.

“I anticipate charges in other counties,” Smith told the judge.

Kailee M. Davis, 37, of Neligh, appeared in front of the Honorable Donna Taylor on Aug. 16 for preliminary hearing on one count, tampering with physical evidence, a Class 4 felony alleged July 17. Davis waived her right to the preliminary hearing and was bound over to Antelope County district court, where she was scheduled for arraignment Aug. 30. She was remanded back to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore, pending posting of bond, in the amount of $5,000, 10% cash. Davis is represented by Antelope County public defender Carney.

A co-defendant, Christopher Barta, 29, of Irene, South Dakota, appeared for arraignment and a bond hearing. He faces two Class 2A felony counts, conspiracy to commit theft by unlawful taking and conspiracy to commit criminal mischief, both alleged between April 1 and July 17. Allegations include theft of wire from area irrigation systems in April, as well as attempt to hide the stolen wire and transportation of the wire in July. He was arrested on an Antelope County warrant July 28 in Brookings, South Dakota.

If convicted, Barta faces up to 20 years in prison on each count and restitution for wire and other out-of-pocket expense incurred by victims.

Barta’s court-appointed attorney, Martin Klein of Neligh, requested reduction of bond from $100,000, 10%, to $25,000, saying Barta still had a job and four children to support. Smith objected.“This is a series of thefts all over, including Antelope County. Other people were scoping out areas,” the county attorney said.

Taylor asked him to identify the other counties. Smith said he wasn’t sure, citing a state patrol investigation.

Taylor reduced Barta’s bond to $50,000, 10%, and struck a condition for not leaving Nebraska. She added a condition for him to be at his South Dakota residence by 8 p.m. daily. Preliminary hearing is set Sept. 6.

“If charges are filed in any other county, you are to turn yourself in right away,” the judge told Barta. “If you don’t, bond will be forfeited… that’s $5,000 gone.”

Barta was remanded to the custody of Moore, pending posting of bond.