BEATRICE – A Gage County District Judge sentenced a husband and wife to probation terms Wednesday, for drug convictions.


34-year-old Sayge Peters was sentenced to a three-year term of probation, for attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and attempted possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person.


"I don't see a history of violence, but I do see you too frequently, and the system sees you too frequently. The amount of time the system spends on about a dozen names in this community or this county, is unacceptable. Sometimes, I have to send a message to either this generation or the ones to follow, that time is up."


Judge Rick Schreiner noted that Peters is at a crossroads in his life…with prison a possibility.
"You are at that turning point, Mr. Peters, where you can make the decision to choose how you dress on a daily basis, or you can wear state or county-issued clothing, the rest of your life."


During a separate sentencing hearing, Judge Schreiner handed a two-year term of probation to 32-year-old Tara Peters, on a conviction of drug possession. Her attorney said she has been in treatment at a Norfolk program, Sunrise Place…and recently completed that program. Part of her probation is to enter a follow-up treatment program there, called Sunset Place…a halfway house.


The judge noted that Tara Peters has not had full-time employment and has two children in the custody of a family member.


"I also note that at the age of 32, you are in arrears on your child support in the amount of $5,000. You tell me about being away from your children, but you have custody of neither of them."


Part of the probation term was to have employment or attend school, and to pay child support. The judge also ordered payment of court costs totaling $138 dollars, which will be taken out of the defendant’s bond.