Cattle Theft Suspects, Brandts Appear In District Court

Two cattle theft suspects; former Oakdale Village Clerk Megan Brandt; and Supervisor Harlan Brandt all appeared on felony charges in  Antelope County District Court on Wednesday.

Rebecca Robbins
Rebecca M. (Bree) Robbins, 22, was sentenced on three counts of criminal attempt-theft by unlawful taking (class IV felonies). She was represented by court-appointed attorney Jeff Doerr. Judge Mark Johnson sentenced Robbins, formerly of Antelope County, to an indeterminate term of not less than 20 months, nor more than 60 months in prison on count I. She received the same sentenced on count II, and the sentences were ordered to be served consecutively. On count III, the judge handed down the same indeterminate term; however, he ordered that sentence to be served concurrent to the other counts. Robbins was given credit for 153 days previously served in the county jail.

Errik Dummitt
One of her co-defendants, Errik Dummitt, 26, of Bellevue, appeared in district court for a pretrial conference with his court-appointed attorney Ron Temple. Temple told the judge that a written plea agreement had been sent by Antelope County Attorney Joe Abler; however, he needed additional time to review it with his client, who is an over-the-road truck driver. The request was granted and Dummitt's pretrial conference was continued to Feb. 25, 2015 at 9 a.m. Dummitt previously pleaded not guilty to theft by unlawful taking (Class III felony); and criminal attempt-theft by unlawful taking (Class IV felony). He has been released from jail on 10 percent of a $20,000 bond. Abler agreed to allow Dummitt to leave the state for employment purposes, as long as he signs a waiver of extradition. Both of these cases stem from an incident in which cattle were stolen from northeast of Neligh.

Harlan Brandt
Harlan Brandt, 62, of Oakdale, an Antelope County supervisor charged with felony theft, appeared in court with his attorney Ron Temple of Norfolk. Madison County Attorney Joe Smith is serving as a special prosecutor in the case. The defense attorney withdrew his motion to suppress and requested a continuance for the pretrial conference. Temple said they received a plea offer from the state, but wanted to "fix" some of the conditions attached to it. The continuance was granted and Brandt's pretrial conference was set for Feb. 25, 2015 at 9 a.m. His $5,000 personal recognizance bond was continued. On a previous court appearance, Brandt entered a not guilty plea to theft by deception, a class IV felony, due to the items totaling more than $500. He is accused of charging gas to the county and the theft of county property. The allegations took place between June 2011 and April 2014. According to Smith, the initial investigation began with the Antelope County Sheriff’s office in December 2013 and then was turned over to the Nebraska State Patrol and the Nebraska Attorney General’s office.

Megan Brandt
Megan Brandt, 31, the former village clerk who was arrested on theft charges totaling more than $30,000 from the Village of Oakdale, appeared for a pretrial conference with court-appointed attorney Pat Carney. Her attorney moved for a continuance in her case and the judge granted the request. Brandt's pretrial conference was set for Jan. 28, 2015 at 9 a.m. She previously pleaded not guilty to the two charges against her: theft by unlawful taking (Class III felony) and unauthorized use of a financial transaction device (Class IV felony). The charges stem from actions taking place between December 15, 2012, and October 2, 2014. Brandt has been released on bond.

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