Two arraigned in district court

Two area men were arraigned Friday in Red Willow district court on various drug charges.

Loren Andrew Biltoft, 36, of North Platte, was arraigned for attempted possession of a controlled substance, a Class I misdemeanor. Biltoft was originally charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class IV felony, which he did not plea to, and charges were amended to attempted possession.

Biltoft was involved in a Dec. 31, 2001, incident where he wandered on to the property of Robert Kerr of Bartley. Biltoft had a discussion with Kerr about Kerr keeping Biltoft's dog until Biltoft returned. Kerr, not knowing Biltoft or wanting to care for his dog, notified police authorities. An officer picked up Biltoft after running a background check, finding Biltoft was wanted for contempt of court. Biltoft was searched by the officer and was found to have a vile of liquid methamphetamine on his person. Biltoft was taken in custody.

Biltoft's sentencing is set for July 1, at 3 p.m.

Wade B. Grilli, 31, of Bartley, was arraigned on amended charges.

He was originally charged with possession of controlled substance, a Class IV felony; possession of drug paraphernalia, infraction; and operation of motor vehicle after suspension, a class III misdemeanor. Grilli pleaded not guilty to these charges.

The charges were amended to attempted possession of a controlled substance, a Class I misdemeanor, operation of motor vehicle after suspension, a Class III misdemeanor. The drug paraphernalia charge was dropped.

He was involved in a Dec. 31, 2001 incident where he was intercepted by police officials while he was driving back to McCook from Cambridge. Grilli was arrested after a body search.

Grilli's sentencing is scheduled for July 8, 2002, at 10 a.m.

In other action:

- Nathan Childers, 22, of McCook was sentenced to 24 months of intensive supervised probation, electronic monitoring and 120 days of Work Ethic Camp, for attempted burglary, a Class IV felony.

Childers did not plea on the original charges of burglary, a Class III felony, which was amended to attempted burglary through a plea agreement.

He was involved in a Feb. 17, 2002, incident where he entered the home of Kenneth and Jamie Nelson, of McCook, while the couple was away. Childers changed from his clothes to the clothes of Kenneth Nelson and proceeded outside. The Nelsons arrived to find Childers in their yard. Childers went back into the Nelson home, claiming that the Nelson home was his home. Jamie Nelson left her residence and contacted police officials to pick Childers up.

- Karl L. Christiansen, 22, of Holbrook, was sentenced to pay a $500 fine and 180 days in jail for refusal to submit a chemical test, Class W misdemeanor, operation of a motor vehicle after suspension, a Class III misdemeanor, and third degree assault by mutual consent, a Class II misdemeanor. Christiansen pleaded guilty to the operation of motor vehicle after suspension charge and no contest to the other charges.

Christiansen was involved in an Oct. 31, 2001 incident where he was involved in an altercation with Tyler Wyatt in McCook. Christiansen then left the scene. Later, police officials pulled over Christiansen. He then refused to submit a chemical test and continued to verbally abuse the officer. Christiansen was arrested and placed in a detox cell.

- Matthew J. Keener, 20, of McCook, was sentenced to 18 months probation and $500 fine for criminal trespassing, a Class I misdemeanor and two counts of criminal mischief, a Class II misdemeanor.

Kenner was involved in an early Nov. 2001 incident where he and three friends appeared on land owned by Marian Mitchell in Indianola. The four entered the Mitchell home, took a few small items and a gun. Kenner and the others, proceeded outside, according to authorities, and shot at a pick-up truck, trees and other items on the Mitchell land. The four also shot and killed a cow belonging to Jeff Brooks.

- Christian M. Towne, 28, of McCook, was sentenced to one year of additional probation for probation violation.

Towne was originally sentenced to 24 months of intensive supervised probation, and 120 days of electronic monitoring after being convicted of attempted delivery of a controlled substance, a Class III A felony.

Towne pleaded guilty to the probation violation, which included testing positive for methamphetamines and marijuana in his system.