Woman sentenced on forgery scheme

Thursday, March 18, 2004

A woman involved in the May theft of a vehicle from Howard Kool Motors has been sentenced for her part in a forgery scheme in Red Willow County District Court.

Jennifer Dethlefs, 31, of Boelus, was sentenced to 20-60 months with the Nebraska Department of Corrections for aiding in the commission of a felony, a Class IV felony. She was also sentenced to one year each on three counts of second degree forgery, a Class I Misdemeanor. Those terms are to be served concurrently. She will serve 20-60 months on a sentence handed down in a Lincoln County case for second degree forgery, a Class IV Felony. That term will be served consecutively with the Red Willow County sentence.

The case stems from a May incident in which Dethlefs and her husband Russell Dethlefs, 34, also of Boelus, obtained false identification in Buffalo County and used the I.D. to open a bank account at Adams Bank in Chase County.

The two used starter checks to purchase a pickup from Howard Kool Motors for $16,625, and fishing and camping equipment and food from Wal-Mart for $782.23 and $291.88, and Alco for $227.15.

The couple was arrested in Phelps County on June 11.

In February, Mr. Dethlefs was sentenced to 17 years in prison in the U.S. District Court in Grand Island on unrelated drug charges.

According to the Grand Island Independent, the man, also known as James L. Early, was sentenced to 17 years in prison and a five-year term of supervised release following his prison term for conspiracy to distribute over 500 grams of methamphetamine in the Grand Island and Lincoln areas between June 1, 2000, and Jan. 1, 2002.

In other District Court action:

Joseph A. Unger, 24, of 302 West Seventh, has pleaded guilty to theft by unlawful taking. The charges stem from the theft of a guitar and electronic equipment from a vehicle belonging to Tory Hooton. The equipment was valued at more than $500 and less than $1,500. His sentencing date is set for April 19.

Kenneth C. Williams, 22, of 300 West 11th pleaded no contest to charges of distribution of a controlled substance. According to court reports, Williams attempted to sell marijuana to a confidential informant. His sentencing date is set for April 23.

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