On Monday in Stanton County District Court the following court cases were undertaken in front of District Judge James Kube.
Kelsey Gray, 30, Norfolk was sentenced to 12 months in the Nebraska Department of Corrections following her revocation of her probation on a Possession of Cocaine conviction earlier this year in Stanton County District Court. She was placed on probation following her conviction for her original arrest in 2022 by the Stanton County Sheriff’s office following a traffic stop on Hwy 275 near Stanton. She failed to appear in court for sentencing earlier this year and was arrested on an arrest warrant by the Sheriff’s office.
Michelle Ellenberger, 38, Norfolk was sentenced to 18 months in the Nebraska Department of Corrections following her conviction for Possession of Methamphetamine. She was originally arrested by the Sheriff’s office last year following a traffic stop on Hwy 275 just east of Norfolk. Ellenberger appeared for court on Monday morning and was ordered to take a drug test, she provided a sample that appeared to be manipulated and refused to take a second test. Judge Kube ordered her to take another test and she tested positive for alcohol, amphetamines, and methamphetamine. At the request of her attorney she requested to continue with her sentencing even with the positive test. Judge Kube agreed and gave her the prison sentence along with 12 months of post-release supervision.
Joshua Johnson, 40, Wisner was sentenced to a $5000.00 fine and $147.00 in court cost after being sentenced for Driving During Revocation (Class Iv felony) on a 15 year license revocation. Johnson was originally arrested by the Sheriff’s office on Hwy 275 near Pilger last October.
Brad Tuttle, 53, Hubbard was sentenced for Theft (Class IV felony) to a 71 days in Jail with credit for time served, a $1000.00 fine and 12 months of post-release supervision. Tuttle was arrested last year following an investigation by the Sheriff’s office into the theft of materials from the Rock Company just west of Stanton
Justin Robinson, 43, Columbus pled guilty to Theft by Unlawful Taking (Class I Misd) and First Degree Criminal Trespass (Class I Misd) after a felony burglary tools possession charge was dismissed as part of a plea-agreement. Robinson and a co-defendant were arrested last fall by the Sheriff’s office following an investigation into a break-in at a rural farm building south of Stanton. Robinson was ordered to undergo a pre-sentence investigation and will be sentenced in November.
Zachary Price, 37, Madison County Jail appeared on two separate Probation Violation counts and plead not guilty to both. During the Zoom hearing Price became very agitated after a bond reduction was denied by Judge Kube and began to use excessive profanity towards the judge, The Court and Stanton County and he had to be removed from the zoom hearing by deputies. As a result of his verbal tirade, Price was given thirty days in jail on each case after being found in Contempt of Court that are to be served consecutively. Price will still have to appear later on his original probation violation charges.
Kyle Kirstine, 41, Madison County Jail entered not guilty pleas to charges of Possession of Methamphetamine (Class IV felony) and Obstructing a Police Officer (Class I Misd). He is now scheduled to appear in court on September 11th.
Coty Payne, 32, Stanton entered not guilty pleas to charges of Driving While Intoxicated-3rd offense (Class IV felony, Third Degree Domestic Assault (Class I Misd), and Disturbing the Peace (Class III Misd). He is now scheduled to appear in court on September 11th.
Saafa Mohammed, 23, Norfolk entered not guilty pleas to Terroristic Threats (Class IV felony, Use of a Weapon to Commit a Felony (Class III felony). She is now scheduled to appear in court on September 11th.
Rueben Longoria, 24, Wayne entered a not guilty plea to a charge of Possession of Methamphetamine (Class IV felony). He is now scheduled to appear in court on September 11th.
Jesse Nettell, 37, Omaha entered not guilty pleas to Operating a Motor Vehicle to Avoid Arrest (Class IV felony), Willful Reckless Driving (Class I Misd), Obstructing a Police Officer (Class I Misd) and Speeding.
Kenneth Smith, 46, Osmond failed to appear for court on charges of Possession of Cocaine (Class IV felony) and Possession of Marijuana (Class III Misd). A bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
All the above listed cases were investigated by the Stanton County Sheriff’s office.