Fairbury Man Charged with Delivering Drugs Near School Accepts Plea Deal

A Fairbury man accused of delivering drugs near a school has accepted a plea deal.Trace William Peters appeared in Jefferson County District Court in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, March 5. David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge.Peters was originally charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school, a class 1B punishable by 20 years to life in prison. He was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, a class 4 felony, punishable by up to two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine. On September 3, 2025, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on a residence in Fairbury near Central Elementary School. During the search, several occupants of the residence were detained, including Peters. According to the arrest affidavit, the search uncovered a “white crystal substance” that field-tested positive for methamphetamine.The affidavit also reported, “Several items consistent with drug paraphernalia were located downstairs, including a glass smoking apparatus for methamphetamine. A blue Nike backpack, which Peters was observed entering the residence wearing before the execution of the search warrant, revealed several items with suspected Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) wax.” The deputy that filled out the affidavit also reported finding a “red digital scale was located and revealed the presence of methamphetamine on the weight plate.” Peters was arrested at the scene. In addition to the drug charges, he was also Peters was also arrested for possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, a class 3 felony punishable by one to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Peters is a convicted felon and, under Nebraska law, is prohibited from possessing a weapon.In accordance with the plea agreement. Peters pleaded guilty to possession of a deadly weapon and possession of a controlled substance. Judge Bargen ordered a PSI (Pre-Sentencing Investigation) and set sentencing for May 7, 2026.This is not the defendant’s first brush with the law. In 2020, he was sentenced by Jefferson County District Court Judge Vicky Johnson to 18 months in the Nebraska Department of Corrections, followed by 18 months of post-release supervision for terroristic threats.Peters was originally charged with four other counts: the use of a firearm to commit a felony, a class 1C felony punishable by five to 50 years in prison; possession of a firearm with the serial numbers defaced, a class 3 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a class 4 felony; and obstruction of a Peace Officer, a class 1 misdemeanor. In accordance with a plea agreement, the defendant pleaded No Contest to one count of terroristic threats and the remaining charges were dismissed.In 2023, Peters was sentenced to two years in the Nebraska Dept. of Corrections, with credit for 180 days time served, after pleading guilty to charges of possession of a controlled substance and tampering with physical evidence, both class 4 felonies.

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