Lierman, Jones, Steskal Among Cases In District Court

Numerous criminal cases were heard Wednesday morning at Antelope County District Court in Neligh. 

Jeremy Jones, 25, was present with attorney Pat Carney. A plea agreement was reached which dismissed four of the seven alleged counts. Jones pleaded guilty to two counts of terroristic threats, which are Class IV felonies and one count of resisting arrest, which is a Class 1 misdemeanor. 

Jones requested that his bond be lowered from 10 percent of $75,000. Carney explained that Jones had recently had a child and had "missed a milestone." The state, represented by acting Antelope County Attorney Joseph Smith, resisted the bond reduction. The court continued the bond at 10 percent of $75,000.

Jones was released into the custody of the Antelope County Sheriff's Department. His sentencing is scheduled for October 28 to commence at 9 a.m. 

Arraignment for Julie Lierman on charges of alleged child abuse will be continued on October 28.

Drew Steskal, 25, appeared in court on drug related charges. He is charged with one count possession of methamphetamine a Class IV felony, one count driving a motor vehicle without an interlock device a Class 1 Misdemeanor, and one count possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction. 

Steskal entered not guilty pleas for all three counts. Pretrial was set for October 28 at 9 a.m. and jury trial will be held on November 16 at 9 a.m. Bond continued at 10 percent of $10,000 and he was remanded to the custody of the Antelope County Sheriff's Department.

Steskal is also currently facing charges in Holt County for theft by unlawful taking in an alleged three-county theft spree.

Gordon Davidson accepted a plea agreement in district court. He pleaded guilty to criminal attempt: theft by unlawful taking, a class IV felony. It was alleged that Davidson stole a vehicle on the night of June 25. According to him, his intentions were to return the vehicle.

"It was early in the morning, about 3:30. I was tired and took a pickup," he said, "I parked and locked it with no damage. I intended to return it to the owner in the morning."

He said he was arrested before he had a change to do so.

The court ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI)  and set the sentencing for October 28th. Davidson asked to waive the PSI and continue with sentencing, which the court overruled.  

The bond was reduced from 10 percent of $5,000 to 10 percent of $2,000. Considering that Davidson is currently on probation for a theft in South Dakota, Judge Mark Johnson stressed that Davidson cannot leave the state of Nebraska, and must remain at his father's residence in Ewing and keep his curfew.

Jacob Thramer appeared at a Show Cause Hearing for Failure to make payment. Thramer is currently being held in Antelope County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine and disturbing the peace. The matter will be continued on February 24.

Mathew Wood appeared with his attorney Brad Montag. Wood pleaded not guilty to terroristic threats and the use of a weapon to commit a felony in June. A motion for discovery and a motion to take depositions were sustained by Judge Mark Johnson. Montag asked for a continuance and the pretrial is set for October 28.

Pretrial for Danielle Alt was continued for September 30.

Michael Hurlbert, 60, was advised of his statutory rights in district court. He is being charged with driving under the influence, 4th offense aggravated, which is a Class III Felony and driving without a license which is a Class IV felony.

He had trouble understanding the court proceedings so a competency examination will be ordered, and he is scheduled to appear for further arraignment on October 28th.