Johnson's Bond Reduced; Robbins Coming Back To Neligh

Although Benjamin D. Johnson's bond was reduced by 85 percent in court this afternoon, he will only leave the Antelope County Jail in handcuffs.

Johnson, who has been charged with three felony counts in connection with the theft of cattle from Wilbur Rakow, originally had his bond set at $100,000. Judge Donna Farrell Taylor reduced the bond to $15,000 per the request of his court-appointed attorney Martin Klein of the public defender's office.

According to Antelope County Sheriff Bob Moore, the Boone County Sheriff's Department has placed a hold on Johnson regarding a theft by deception charge (Class III felony). Should Johnson post 10 percent of his bond in Antelope County, Moore said he would immediately be transported to the Boone County Jail, where he will be held on a separate $25,000 bond. 

Conditions of his posting bond in Antelope County include residing at his mother's residence near St. Edward and complying with an 8 p.m. curfew in the evening and not leaving the residence before 6 a.m.

"That is not usual requirements with a bond," Moore said. "But that's because he was hard to find and get a hold of."

Moore said if Johnson violates conditions of the bond, a warrant would be issued for his arrest and he could possibly forfeit the bond. 

His alleged co-conspirator, Rebecca M. (Bree) Robbins, is currently being held in the Platte County Jail and will return to Antelope County within the next 24-48 hours, Moore said.

"Antelope County has put a hold on Rebecca Robbins in reference to a warrant in Antelope County," Moore said. "Upon her completion of time served in Platte County, we will pick her up and transport her here."

Robbins will be held in the Antelope County Jail on a $100,000 bond. Her first court appearance in Antelope County will likely be on August 20. 

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