Burglary Investigation Leads to Two Arrests, Multiple Felony Charges

An investigation into a series of burglaries and thefts have resulted in the arrest of two suspects, each facing multiple felony counts. The sheriff’s office has been investigating numerous burglaries within Jefferson County that started in December of 2025. On February 10, 2026, at approximately 12:45 p.m., deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at a residence in Reynolds.After what a press release described as a “very lengthy investigation into the residence and the occupant of the residence” led to the search warrant, authorities recovered what is reported to be items taken from at least three different properties in Jefferson County and Washington County, Kansas.According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, numerous puppies were also seized by law enforcement during the search, as they were being neglected on the property.The sheriff’s office also reported “numerous Nebraska Game violations” and contacted the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission for assistance. Gary Keller Jr., age 34, of Reynolds was arrested at the scene. Keller was transported and booked into the Jefferson County Jail on numerous charges, including: possession of a controlled substance, possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, possession of a deadly weapon while committing a felony, eight counts of animal neglect, theft by receiving stolen property and possession of stolen firearms.This search warrant also led to an additional search warrant that the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office served with the assistance of the Hastings Police Department on a residence in Hastings on February 13, 2026. This search warrant was served in connection to the burglaries that had occurred within Jefferson County. Dylan R. Zimmerling, age 34, was arrested on the warrant by Hastings Police Department and was transported to the Jefferson County Jail. The firearms recovered included: a Ruger 77/17 17HMR, Ruger American 30-06, Ithaca Model 37 20-gauge, CVA Hunter .243, Maverick Mossberg 12-gauge, M87 Featherlight 12-gauge, Stoeger 410 Double Barrel and Browning Arms 7mm Mag. Both Keller and Zimmerling appeared in Jefferson County Court Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026, via webcam from the Jefferson County Jail. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.Keller and Zimmerling each have prior felony convictions. Nebraska law prohibits an individual with a felony conviction from possessing a firearm. Per Nebraska Revised Statute 28-1206, “The felony conviction may have been had in any court in the United States, the several states, territories, or possessions, or the District of Columbia.” There are no charges yet filed against Keller as of press time but the judge noted he is facing 15 or more charges, the most serious of which is possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a class 1D felony punishable by three to 50 years in prison.Keller requested court-appointed appointed counsel and attorney Lee Timan was assigned to represent him.The defendant also requested a bond reduction. He was being held on a $250,000 (10 percent) bond. Kelly told the judge he wanted out of jail because “I have a house full of animals” that need to be taken of.Jefferson County Attorney Joseph Cassson opposed any reduction. Noting the “nature and circumstances” of the alleged offenses, judge Bauer denied the request. Charges have been field against Zimmerling, including nine counts of possession or receipt of a stolen firearm, each a class 2A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison; and nine counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, each a class 1D felony.The defendant requested court-appointed appointed counsel and attorney Benjamin Murray was assigned to represent him.Zimmerling’s bond was also set at $250,000 (10 percent). Both defendants remain in custody as of press time.

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