Wymore woman on federal parole, sentenced to prison in Gage County case
Judge orders prison term for violation that typically yields a probation sentence
By News Channel NebraskaBEATRICE – A Wymore woman currently on federal parole has been sentenced on a Gage County case involving possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
44-year-old Brandy Bennett was sentenced Wednesday by District Judge Rick Schreiner, to a two-year prison term on the possession conviction. She was fined $100 for the paraphernalia infraction. The judge said it’s about trying to change Bennett’s behavior. "Ms. Bennett, I don't know what it's going to take to get across to you, that you can't deal drugs. The federal government tried to get that across to you in 2012.....and here we are, ten years later, still trying to get that message across to you."
Bennett was given credit off her prison sentence for 197 days spent in custody. Typically, a class-4 felony drug conviction carries a presumption of a probation term. Schreiner told the defendant, "I was telling people earlier in the day...if it wasn't for methamphetamine, I would probably be unemployed. It's just that big of a problem in Gage County and you are part of that problem. And so, I'm not going to give you probation."
Because Bennett will still have federal supervision to deal with, the judge did not order post-release supervision on the Gage County case.
In another case….Judge Schreiner sentenced 32-year-old Daniel Jenkins, of Beatrice to an 18-month state prison term to be served at the same time as a prison sentence Jenkins is serving in a Lancaster County case. Jenkins was given 2-to-4 years in that case. In the Gage County matter, Jenkins was convicted of attempted drug possession for which he received a 180 day prison term….and felony failure to appear which resulted in the 18-month term. The judge described Jenkins as an educated man, who has skills.
"Why do you keep sabotaging yourself? The first person you should apologize to, is you. And then, you need to make your apologizes to the state and your community through changed action....and you're capable of it."
In two other district court cases Wednesday…..
Christopher Volle was sentenced to a two-year term of probation for attempted drug possession. Sentencing was deferred for Mark McPherson until a pre-sentence investigation can be completed. Having failed to appear in court three times, McPherson had his bond set at $20,000 and was ordered to be held in custody until the P-S-I is completed. Sentencing will be held in late September.