Menu
McCook woman ordered back on probation
McCOOK, Neb. -- A McCook woman with an extensive criminal history, whose probation was revoked in January following Red Willow and Adams County arrests on unrelated theft charges, was ordered back on probation last week in Red Willow County District Court.
The offender, 40-year-old Melida Casarez of 112 W. First Street, accepted a plea agreement in April admitting guilt to felony possession of methamphetamine and dismissing three misdemeanor offenses. The misdemeanors alleged she was carrying a concealed weapon and driving on a suspended license without insurance.
Casarez was subsequently sentenced to 24 months probation last week in Red Willow County District Court.
The Class IV felony possession charge stems from baggies containing methamphetamine and meth residue found in Casarez' wallet following her arrest for driving on a suspended license in December of 2014, according to court documents. The dismissed weapons charge stemmed from a more than 8-inch long knife she was carrying, which had a four-and-a-half inch long blade.
Casarez has been convicted on three unrelated theft charges in Red Willow County in the last year, in addition to the recent felony and other lesser traffic offenses.
She was convicted of theft on July 10, 2014, stemming from merchandise she stole from New Life Christian Book Store in April of 2014. The conviction resulted in a $250 fine and six-month probation sentence. She also received a 14 day suspended jail sentence to begin on Jan. 1, 2015, which could be waived if all fines and probation requirements were met.
Casarez was convicted of a second theft offense that same day and fined another $250, stemming from a sander, rug gripper and floor cleaner she stole from Walmart in May of 2014.
Less than two weeks following the County Court probation sentence Casarez was cited for another theft offense at Walmart. She would not face sentencing on the charge until January of 2015 and was arrested on the felony meth possession charge a month prior.
While the felony drug case worked its way through the District Court system and ultimately resulted in Casarez most recent probation sentence, she faced sentencing on the third theft offense. In January of 2015 she was sentenced to 14 days in jail and ordered to pay $167 in restitution. Her County Court probation stemming from the New Life theft was revoked and she was ordered to serve a consecutive 14 days in jail as a result, with credit given for 5 days already served.
Other activity in Red Willow County District Court, June 1, 2015:
* 19-year-old Javier A. Casarez of McCook pleaded not guilty to several probation violation allegations and was subsequently scheduled for trial at 10:30 a.m. on July 6, 2015. The allegations stem from Casarez arrest on forgery charges in May; an unrelated arrest on criminal mischief and possession of a controlled substance charges in May; and failing to report to his probation officer since being sentenced to probation in January.
Casarez was originally sentenced to 36 months probation after being convicted of a Class IV felony offense for being an accessory to a felony and two misdemeanor theft charges.
* 34-year-old Jeremy D. Nickerson of Trenton, Nebraska, pleaded not guilty to three felonies and three misdemeanors charges. A status hearing was subsequently scheduled at 2 p.m. on Aug. 3, 2015.
Nickerson has been charged with a Class 3 felony offense alleging he was drunk driving with three prior convictions; a Class IV felony alleging he was driving on a license revoked for DUI; a Class IV felony offense alleging he operated a motor vehicle to avoid arrest; and three misdemeanor offenses alleging he refused to submit to a preliminary test, refused a chemical test and possessed an open alcohol container.
* A plea agreement was reached with 25-year-old Anthony M. Peters of Benkelman, Nebraska, admitting guilt to felony possession of methamphetamine and driving on a suspended driver's license. Peters was subsequently scheduled for sentencing at 1:45 p.m. on Aug. 3, 2015.
The plea agreement dismissed an infraction alleging possession of drug paraphernalia, while admitting guilt to the Class IV felony for possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor for driving on a suspended license. The charges against Peters stem from his arrest near the intersection of West First Street and B Street at 10: 30 p.m. on March 12, 2015.