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Friday, October 9, 2015

McCOOK, Neb. -- The second of two men charged in connection with the theft and shooting of an Angus heifer belonging to a local rancher was sentenced to probation Monday.

The cattle thief, 41-year-old Donald R. Slone Jr. of 804 E. Third Street, was ordered to serve 24 months probation and pay joint-restitution to the victim.

Slone accepted a plea agreement in August admitting guilt to a reduced Class IV felony offense for theft by unlawful taking, property valued at less than $1,500, and dismissing a Class IC felony alleging use of a firearm to commit a felony.

Slone's accomplice, 21-year-old Brandon M. Deater of 518 W. First Street Apt. 11, was similarly sentenced to 24 months probation after being convicted on a Class IV felony offense for theft by unlawful taking.

Court documents indicate $3,000 in restitution was paid to the victim and owner of the heifer, Dan Larington.

The charges stemmed from a August 2014 citation for shooting from the roadway, hunting with artificial light and a revocation of permit violation, occurring on County Road 385, south of County Road 725, according to court documents.

Slone was convicted on unrelated game violations occurring four days after the Larington theft. The violations occurred at the Red Willow Reservoir SRA north of McCook and resulted in three Class 2 misdemeanor offenses for not having a small game permit and a Class 3 misdemeanor offense for being over the limit on small game or turkey. Slone was found guilty on all four charges and fined a total of $950 including liquidated damages.

Other activity in Red Willow County District Court, Oct. 5, 2015:

* A North Platte woman, 33-year-old Katrina M. Stevens, pleaded guilty to a Class IV felony offense for possession of methamphetamine and was scheduled for sentencing at 1:45 p.m. on Dec. 9, 2015. Stevens pleaded not guilty to the charge in April before entering a guilty plea Monday.

In Nebraska, Class IV felonies carry a maximum sentence of two years imprisonment with 12 months months post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine, with no minimum sentence.

* A plea agreement was reached with 21-year-old Alexandria Curran of Holbrook admitting guilt to a Class I misdemeanor offense for attempted possession of methamphetamine. A sentencing hearing was subsequently scheduled at 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 9, 2015.

Curran was originally facing a Class IV felony alleging possession of methamphetamine.

* A plea agreement was reached with 39-year-old Lawrence E. Thayer III admitting guilt to a Class I misdemeanor offense for carrying a concealed weapon and an infraction for possession of marijuana. A sentencing hearing was subsequently scheduled at 1 .m. on Dec. 9, 2015.

Thayer was originally facing a Class 3 felony alleging he was a convicted felon in possession of a deadly weapon. The weapon charge stemmed from a knife, according to court documents.

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