BEATRICE – A defendant who’s troubles with the law began at age ten, is going to prison.
Gage County District Judge Rick Schreiner sentenced 57-year-old Robert Watson, of Beatrice… to a two-year state prison term for possession of methamphetamine.


"Your first contact with law enforcement by your own report, was a vandalism at the age of 10....47 years ago....that was in 1977. In 1983, you also report you broke into the Salvation Army and you went to YRTC for nine months. That was 41 years ago."


Schreiner noted that Watson had previously been sentenced to prison three times. "By my calculations, Mr. Watson, you are eligible for the habitual criminal enhancement. You are a habitual criminal, although that finding has not been legally made...the facts, nonetheless, bear that out."


Watson’s prior run-ins with the law involved drug possession, D-U-I, driving on a suspended license, domestic battery, trespassing, vandalism, larceny, theft, terroristic threats, violation of a protection order, hunting without a permit, criminal mischief and assault.


The judge noted Watson has committed offenses while out-on-bond. "The offense in this case was actually committed November 2nd, 2024. And, since that time, you've been arrested or cited December 8th, 2023 for driving under suspension....January 5th, driving under suspension....a Jefferson County possession. You've been arrested or cited four times since you committed this offense."


Watson’s sentence will include one year of post-release supervision. He was given credit for 17 days spent in jail.


The sentencing on Wednesday stemmed from Watson’s arrest by Beatrice Police following a traffic stop, November 2nd of 2023…on suspicion of drug and drug paraphernalia possession and driving on a suspended license.