Crime

(SCOTTSBLUFF, NEB.) — Investigators with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested a Garden County Sheriff’s Deputy following an investigation into a report of sexual assault. NSP began investigating the case in July at the request of the Attorney General’s Office. Following an investigation, NSP investigators arrested Bruce Neal, 39, of Oshkosh, for one count of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of child abuse...

McCOOK, Neb. — Sentencing is set April for an Indianola man who could face 40 years in prison after pleading no contest to manslaughter and witness tampering in the killing of a McCook man in October 2020. Alva C. Decker, 35, pleaded no contest to manslaughter and no contest to conspiracy to commit witness tampering and was found guilty on both counts...

The biggest crowd yet turned out for Community Hospital Health Foundation benefit concert Saturday at the Kiplinger Arena on the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. Opener Bexar, above and third row, left, got the crowd going before Jerrod Neimann, top, took the stage as the main act, taking time to sign a guitar for a fan...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Rowdy L. Baxter, 64, was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 60 months probation in connection with an ongoing Furnas County sex trafficking case. In March, he pleaded no contest to one count of sexual assault of a child abuse intentional/no injury in exchange for reduction of the charge from first degree sexual assault of a child, and another count of the same charge was dropped...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Two men were sentenced to prison and two more pleaded no contest in Furnas County District Court and will be sentenced in May. Sentenced to three- to five-years on each count of first-degree sexual assault of a child and attempted sex trafficking of a minor was Dylan Brooks, 26, of Omaha. His sentences will be served concurrently...

McCOOK, Neb. – Better law enforcement is needed to combat an influx of high-quality Mexican methamphetamine in rural Nebraska, but so is better education and treatment, state officials said Thursday. Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska Jan Sharp said the increasing supply of meth is leading to an increase in prosecutions, but also an increase in overdose deaths...

McCOOK, Neb. — The driver and one other person are in custody following a high-speed chase that stretched from McCook into Frontier County Wednesday afternoon. Lucas Haag, K-State agronomist at Colby, Kan., told the Gazette that his work truck, a Ford dually, owned by KSU, was stolen from the Northwest Research-Extension Center at Colby after thieves unhooked it from a gooseneck equipment trailer...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson announced that William “Billy” Quinn of Oxford, Nebraska was sentenced today for multiple crimes he committed against a 15-year-old victim in 2019. Furnas County District Court Judge James E. Doyle IV sentenced Quinn to a minimum of 176.5 years to a maximum of 304 years in prison...

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. — Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested two people after finding 37 pounds of marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, and a loaded handgun during a traffic stop on Interstate 80 near Kimball. At approximately 11:50 a.m. MT Tuesday, a trooper observed an eastbound Dodge Durango speeding on I-80 near mile marker 18. ...

McCOOK, Neb. — Lavetta C. Langdon was sentenced to 8-10 years in jail Monday after pleading no-contest to a reduced charge of manslaughter in the shooting death of her husband. Langdon, 80, told police she shot her sleeping husband after he hit her, after what she said was 30 years of abuse...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. — Billy Quinn should get a new trial because of statements issued by Sen. Ben Sasse and other reasons, his lawyers said in a motion for a new trial. William Quinn, 57, was found guilty of 13 of 14 sex trafficking and other charges against him last month...

McCOOK, Neb. — An 80-year-old McCook woman who admitted to shooting her husband to death after what she said was 30 years of abuse will be sentenced for first degree manslaughter. Lavetta Langdon entered a no-contest plea June 1 to one count of felony manslaughter, in exchange for prosecutors reducing the charge from felony manslaughter. A felony charge of using a firearm to comit a felony was dismissed...

Orleans man faces federal charges LINCOLN, Neb. — An Orleans, Neb., man has been charged with three counts of counterfeiting obligations or securities, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Jan. W. Sharp. Bruce A. Nelson, 53, Orleans, faces a maximum penalty for each count of 20 years’ imprisonment, $350,000 fine, a three-year term and a $100 special assessment...

McCOOK, Neb. — In Red Willow County District Court Monday, Christopher L. Merklin, 39, St. Francis, Kan., pleaded guilty to attempt of a Class 4 felony, amended from possession of a controlled substance, and pleaded guilty to possession or use of drug paraphernalia, an infraction, and was sentenced to 75 days in jail with credit for 34 days served as well as a fine of $100 for an infraction...

McCOOK, Neb. -- In Red Willow District Court recently, Philip C. Senff, 48, Curtis, was found guilty of theft-shoplifting over $5,000, a Class 2A Felony, and was sentenced to 48 months’ probation and ordered to pay $31,266.40 restitution to Banner Capital Bank plus costs...

BEAVER CITY, Neb.-- Two Arapahoe men are set for trial April 13 in connection with a Furnas County sex trafficking case. Justin Brooks, 30, and Paul Brooks, 61, have both pleaded not guilty to first degree sexual assault of a child. In addition, Justin Brooks has plead not guilty to sex trafficking of a minor...

McCOOK, Neb.-- McCook Police, Red Willow County Sheriff’s Officers and the Nebraska State Patrol were involved in a chase and arrest early this morning. Records indicate a McCook Police pursuit began at 8:12 p.m. in west McCook and continued into rural McCook at 8:37 p.m. with the Nebraska State Patrol and a Red Willow County deputy...

McCOOK, Neb. -- An Indianola man accused of killing a McCook man appearing in Red Willow County Court waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday, and appeared in Red Willow County District Court an hour later, where a request to reduce bond was denied...

BEAVER CITY, Neb. -- Casey T. Heinen, 33, Arapahoe, was bound over to Furnas County Court on Friday on charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child and child abuse. Heinen allegedly had a sexual relationship with a girl who was in fifth grade in 2016 until sometime in August...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Despite comparisons to another case in which a woman allegedly killed her husband and has been released on bond, a lower bail was denied a 79-year-old McCook woman and she remains in jail while awaiting an appearance in Red Willow County District Court...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Admitting the 79-year-old defendant might not be a flight risk or danger to the community, County Attorney Paul Wood never the less requested that no bond be set for Lavetta C. Langdon because of the seriousness of the charges against her...

McCOOK, Neb. — A 41-year-old woman of Hoxie, Kan., was sentenced in McCook to the Nebraska Department of Corrections for allegedly stealing a safe, the contents estimated at worth more than $50,000. District Court Judge James E. Doyle IV sentenced Crystal M. ...

CURTIS, Neb. – Two-year degree programs such as those offered by the University of Nebraska’s campus in Curtis, at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, have strong appeal for students seeking academics in smaller class sizes and learning environments...

McCOOK, Neb. — Water and sewer rates will go up as approved unanimously Monday night by the McCook City Council. The rate increases were approved on their third and final reading and were recommended by the financial management firm, PFM Financial Advisors, based on moderate inflationary increases, trends in water usage and planned capital purchases. PDF recommended for this year and in upcoming years small, incremental increases for both departments...

McCOOK, Neb. — Auditions for SWNCTA’s fall production of Pool’s Paradise will be held June 24th and 25th. Times for auditions will be from 7 to 9 p.m. on both dates. The location of auditions is 1526 Centennial Drive, McCook. There are three female and four male characters in this production...

McCOOK, Neb. — Former Dundy County deputy Charles Thibedeau, 37, was sentenced to prison time for kidnapping and assaulting a Benkelman woman in his police vehicle. On Monday, District Court Judge David Urbom sentenced Thibedeau to 6 to 8 years for kidnapping, one year for the third-degree sexual assault and six months for oppression under the color of office, for a total of nine and half years. A Dundy County jury had found Thibedeau guilty on Jan. 18...

McCOOK, Neb. — The McCook Police Department is advising area residents to be mindful of paving and asphalt repair scams popular this time of year. Scam artists targeting senior citizens and unsuspecting homeowners and business representatives have posed as paving contractors in recent years. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Plea agreements were reached earlier this month in Red Willow County District Court with a Bartley couple arrested on felony child abuse and drug charges. 54-year-old Kristy J. Kreiling and 51-year-old Michael W. Kreiling each accepted similar plea agreements admitting guilt to a Class 2A felony for attempted possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook man originally facing multiple felonies was sentenced to probation earlier this week in Red Willow County District Court after being convicted on a charge for attempting to possess methamphetamine. The offender, 23-year-old Clifford Stark of 711 East H Street, was originally facing two Class IV felony offenses alleging he was in possession of Alprazolam and Lisdexamfetamine, in addition to a third Class IV felony alleging possession of methamphetamine and an infraction alleging possession of drug paraphernalia.. ...

McCOOK, Neb. -- In another week of upsets in professional and college football, the entrants in last week's McCook Gazette Pigskin Picks' contest had a tough time predicting the winners. In fact, the best anyone could do was four misses out of the 20 games...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A Cambridge, Nebraska, man was sentenced to probation in Red Willow County District Court on felony tampering with physical evidence. The offender, 43-year-old David A. Clements, took the plea, admitting guilt to the Class IV felony tampering charge and was sentenced to 30 months probation. ...

INDIANOLA, Neb. -- This week's Crime of the Week is a theft report on file with the Red Willow County Sheriff's Office. During the late evening hours of Friday Aug. 14 or early Morning hours of Saturday Aug. 15, person or persons removed a 4 wheeler ATV from the back of a pickup belonging to Ag Valley Coop in Indianola Nebraska...

McCOOK, Neb. -- One of two men accused of stealing a heifer from a local rancher was sentenced to probation last week in Red Willow County District Court, while a plea agreement was reached with the latter. 21-year-old Brandon M. Deater of 518 W. First Street Apt. ...

INDIANOLA, Neb. -- A traffic stop and the investigations that resulted in three search warrants and the arrests of nine people on drug charges on July 9 in McCook have continued with the arrests on Aug. 3 of two Indianola residents in Indianola. Danny J. Reed, 60 years old, and Candance D. Reed, 53, both of 410 Fourth Street, Lot 4, Indianola, have each been charged with possession of methamphetamine. Both appeared in Red Willow County court on Aug. 6...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook woman was fined and ordered to serve probation on illegal drug and child abuse offenses Monday in Red Willow County District Court. The offender, 25-year-old Courtnie Clements of 1405 West 16th Street, was sentenced to 30 months probation and ordered to pay $400 in fines after being convicted of felony possession of methamphet- amine and misdemeanor child abuse...

RED WILLOW COUNTY, Neb. -- The Red Willow County Sheriff's Department has apprehended 33-year-old Kenneth R. C. Williams and 30-year-old Jordan Alan Weaver recently. Williams had three active warrants for failure to appear to answer to drug charges and was apprehended by the North Platte Police Department on Sunday, Aug. 2, without incident...

McCOOK, Neb. -- Red Willow County Public Defender Ryan Wilcox will appear in court Friday to defend himself against a speeding violation. According to court documents Wilcox was cited for speeding 76 mph in a 65 mph zone in April. He pleaded not guilty to the offense in May and the case was subsequently scheduled for trial at 1 p.m. on July 10 in Red Willow County Court...

TRENTON, Neb. -- Preparations are being made for the possible trial of a Trenton man charged in connection with the murder of 18-year-old Austin Wright of McCook. Online court documents indicate 23-year-old John Raymond Leahy III of Trenton, Nebraska, appeared via phone earlier this month for a hearing in Hitchcock County District Court and was subsequently scheduled for trial on Nov. 20, 2015...

McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook man is facing three felony charges in Frontier County alleging he assaulted one man, strangled a woman and threatened violence against a total of four people during an altercation in June. Douglas E. Dueland of 905 Sunset is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in the case at 10 a.m. on Aug. 7, 2015, in Frontier County Court...

After an unusually mild and wet spring -- McCook is .9 of an inch ahead of normal precip -- we've moved right into summer-type weather, hitting 96 degrees about 7 p.m. Tuesday. There are alternatives to sweating through the summer or eating peanut butter sandwiches to be able afford paying your electric bill, according to the Nebraska Public Power District...

A convicted rapist accepted what is at least his third plea agreement in Red Willow County since the fall of 2010, each reducing felony sex offender registration violations to misdemeanor offenses.

31-year-old Adam Brunswick of McCook was arrested Tuesday on two counts of first degree sexual assault and electronic child enticement. Police said he solicited sex online from two Lincoln minors, according to a report on klkntv.com.

A McCook man received prison time last week for his role in the 2012 burglary of D&S Hardware.

A plea agreement was reached in Red Willow County District Court last week with a North Platte man facing 30 felony counts of burglary, attempted burglary and theft, stemming from a local crime spree which spanned several years and involved at least four other accomplices.

A third man has been charged in connection with the 2012 burglary of D&S Hardware, a crime which included thieves taking a 2500 lb. safe before sending a forklift crashing into a fuel can locker.

A McCook man was sentenced to state prison time last week after being convicted of felony drug possession and misdemeanor offenses for resisting arrest, carrying a concealed weapon and disturbing the peace.

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Four individuals are each facing a felony possession of methamphetamine charge after several law enforcement agencies raided a West Third Street residence earlier this month. Twenty-nine-year-old Thomas R. Ortiz, 34-year-old Kevin M. Gerih, 37-year-old Christina F. Lopez and 27-year-old Colette F. Burns are each facing one Class IV felony for possession of methamphetamine and an infraction for possession of drug paraphernalia, as a result of the early morning raid...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A drunk driver who left his vehicle upside down in a drainage ditch near the intersection of East Fifth Street and East A Street last summer faced only a DUI charge stemming from the incident. The offender, 21-year-old Austin D. Ebert of 401 East 12th Street, was convicted of drunk driving during a Red Willow County Court hearing in January but an additional offense for leaving the scene of an accident was not pursued by Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A pair of men sentenced to jail time in 2012 after forcing their way into several local homes, wearing bandanas to hide their identity and assaulting residents that they startled awake in many instances, were both back in court this month facing new felony charges...

PALISADE, Nebraska -- A Palisade man is facing federal prison time after he was charged in connection with manufacturing, distributing and possessing child pornography Thursday. 60-year-old Jerald Vrbas was charged with a three-count indictment, according to a release from the office of U.S. Attorney Deborah R. Gilg...

McCOOK, Nebraska -- The third of four offenders arrested for stealing a pickup truck from a rural Red Willow County residence in July received prison time last week in Red Willow County District Court. 32-year-old James W. Bonacci III was sentenced to 20 months in state prison after accepting a plea agreement admitting guilt to a Class IV felony offense for possession of methamphetamine stemming from the crime...