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Shane Sleister, 49, (in custody), appeared in the Antelope County courtroom in Neligh last Wednesday, April 17, for sentencing in two similar cases. The Honorable Donna Taylor sentenced Sleister to terms in the Antelope County Jail on each of two charges in each case.

In the first case, committed Sept. 20, 2023, Sleister was committed to the Antelope County Jail for 60 days on Count I, obstructing a peace officer, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and 10 days on Count II, driving under suspension, a Class 3 misdemeanor, and he was taxed $1 costs. Remaining costs had been covered by bond funds that had been forfeited in February after he was arrested in a separate case.

He was given credit for three days served previously. The sentences are ordered concurrent to each other but consecutive to those in the second case.

In the second case, committed Jan. 5, Sleister was sentenced to six months in the ACJ on Count I, operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and 30 days on Count II, DUS, and he was taxed $119.34 costs. He was given credit for 74 days previously served. The sentences are ordered concurrent to each other but consecutive to those in the first case.

If he loses none of the good time he is entitled to, Sleister will reach his mandatory release date for the local cases in approximately two months.

Sleister, who did not have a valid driver’s license, was seen driving by an Antelope County deputy and subsequently attempted to avoid the officer in each case. He was convicted of the crimes March 20, after reaching a plea deal with Antelope County Attorney Joe Smith. Sleister was represented by Antelope County public defender Pat Carney.

Prior to handing down his sentences, Taylor told Sleister it is her policy, when a defendant faces further sentencing by another judge, to “fashion” her sentences so they don’t interfere with those coming from the other judge.

Sleister has criminal charges pending in Madison and Knox counties. He is set for arraignment in Madison County district court May 16 on a Class 4 felony charge, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) alleged Feb. 4 in Norfolk. Pending Knox County cases include a Class 2 misdemeanor charge of theft by receiving stolen property 0 to $500, alleged Aug. 1, 2023, and DUS, a Class 3 misdemeanor alleged Oct. 9, 2023.

Joyce D. Beach, 23, of O’Neill appeared for sentencing on a charge of driving with a suspended license. She presented her recently-obtained driver’s license. Beach was fined $100 and taxed $51 costs. She was self-represented.

Beach was cited for the Class 3 misdemeanor in Neligh on Feb. 17, 2021, appeared in court in March 2021, when she pleaded no contest and was found guilty. She failed to appear for sentencing in June 2021 and a warrant was issued for her arrest. The warrant was served March 11 in O’Neill by a Nebraska State Patrol officer. Beach appeared in the Antelope County courtroom March 24, still without a valid driver’s license, and Taylor granted her a final continuance to obtain one.

“I hope you take better care of it than you did in the past,” Taylor advised.

Tyler J. Bredvick, 28, of Butte appeared for pretrial hearing on a Class 2 misdemeanor DUS allegation, accompanied by Carney. Bredvick was rearraigned on an amended Class 3 misdemeanor DUS charge, pursuant to a plea agreement with Smith.

Bredvick’s license had been reinstated. Taylor fined him $100 and assessed $50 costs.

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Ronald Dugal, 61, of Neligh appeared for further arraignment on a Class 3 misdemeanor DUS charge alleged Feb. 21. He requested another continuance to obtain his driver’s license, indicating he was waiting on information from New York officials. Taylor continued the hearing to May 15.

Arraignment was continued to May 15 for Kris Sanderson, 57, of Norfolk, on a Class 4 felony, issuing a bad check, alleged Aug. 7, 2023. According to a complaint filed Feb. 14 by Smith, Sanderson is accused of writing a $36.69 bad check at Mr. S’s in Oakdale. The complaint indicated the charge is a felony due to a previous bad check conviction.

A warrant, issued after Sanderson failed to appear in court March 6, called for a $5,000, 10% cash, bond. A bond review hearing was held. Smith said the case would likely be “settled in county court.” Taylor granted Sanderson’s request to amend bond to $5,000, personal recognizance. Sanderson was remanded to the custody of Antelope County sheriff Bob Moore, pending filing of bond.

Kadyn Fernau of Neligh appeared for arraignment on two City of Neligh complaints, harboring a dangerous dog, and permit a dog to run at large. According to the complaint filed by Neligh city attorney James McNally, Fernau’s dog allegedly “caused death to a small dog” and caused puncture wounds to a child’s hand that required emergency room treatment. Each charge carries a potential fine of up to $500 and restitution, if convicted, but no jail time.

Fernau asked for court-appointed counsel. Taylor explained the county is not obligated to furnish counsel in cases that do not include a possibility of incarceration. She told him he was entitled to counsel at his own expense. He opted to waive his right to counsel and pleaded not guilty. Taylor set the case for trial May 15 at 1 p.m.