Probation extended in new drug, weapons charges

McCOOK, Nebraska -- A convicted felon arrested in January, after a probation search of his home turned up more than a dozen bladed weapons and what officers described as a meth pipe manufacturing operation, was sentenced to additional probation time last week in Red Willow County District Court.

The offender, 38-year-old Jeffrey J. Leibrandt of 1104 E. Fourth Street, accepted a plea agreement in April dismissing a felony charge for possession of methamphetamine and an infraction for possession of drug paraphernalia, while admitting guilt to a Class III felony offense for possession of a deadly weapon by a felon. Leibrandt was subsequently sentenced to 30 months probation during the June 9, 2014, hearing.

At the time of his January arrest, Leibrandt was four months into a 24 month probation sentence he received in September 2013, after accepting a plea agreement admitting guilt to a Class IV felony offense for possession of methamphetamine. He was originally charged in the 2013 case with additional offenses of driving under suspension and possession of drug paraphernalia, stemming from a March 2013 traffic stop on U.S. Highway 83.

Leibrandt faced probation violations last week stemming from the January arrest and he was sentenced to an additional six months probation and 20 days in county jail as a result.

The January probation search of Leibrandt's West Fourth Street residence stemmed from a report of illegal drugs and possibly explosives at the residence. Law enforcement officers discovered 16 swords, knives and daggers, 13 of which had blade lengths in excess of three-and-a-half inches, and various drug paraphernalia. Responding officers also confiscated two battle axes, nunchuks and another weapon with a blade attached to a chain, attached to a handle, according to court documents.

The search discovered a number of broken glass pipes, two of which confirmed to have methamphetamine residue on them, as well as two large boxes of glass tubing, a propane torch and various glass tubing in the process of becoming what law enforcement officers described as methamphetamine pipes. Several zip-lock baggies with methamphetamine residue were also discovered.

Leibrandt was originally arrested on additional charges alleging drug paraphernalia manufacturing or delivery and possession of an explosive of destructive device. Neither charge was pursued by Red Willow County Attorney Paul Wood.

Other activity in Red Willow County District Court, June 9, 2014:

* 33-year-old Wesley E. Nichols of 209 E. Second Street pleaded not guilty to a Class IIIA felony offense of third degree assault on an officer. Nichols was subsequently scheduled for a jury trial at 9 a.m. on Aug. 28, 2014, and a status hearing was also scheduled in the case at 3:15 p.m. on July 7, 2014. The charge against Nichols stems from an incident at Community Hospital on Feb. 6, 2014.

* A plea agreement was reached with 59-year-old Jamie Dack of 609 West E Street Apt. 11 admitting guilt to a Class IV felony offense for driving on a license revoked for DUI and misdemeanor offenses for DUI and refusing a chemical test. Dack was subsequently scheduled for sentencing at 1:45 p.m. on Aug. 4, 2014.

* 20-year-old Joseph M. Rocha denied probation violation allegations and a hearing was subsequently scheduled in the case at 8:30 a.m. on July 7, 2014. The allegations stem from a driving under suspension arrest and failure to complete a drug and alcohol evaluation, according to court documents.