Arraignments in Jefferson County District Court
Several defendants were arraigned on felony charges in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, December 4, 2025. David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge.
Zachary W. Grummert, age 47, of Beatrice, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony punishable by two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine; driving under a revoked license, a class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction.
Grummert was arrested August 5, 2025, during a traffic stop by deputies. He pleaded not guilty.
Damion A. Schultz, age 34, Marysville, Kansas, is charged with two counts of manufacture or distribution of methamphetamine, a class 2 felony punishable by one to 50 years in prison for each count. The charges stem from the alleged sale of drugs two years ago.
According to the arrest affidavit, a Nebraska State Patrol confidential informant provided Schultz with $100 in Nebraska State Patrol drug funds for the purchase of methamphetamine on September 14, 2023.
A Nebraska State Crime Laboratory report dated May 15, 2025, indicates the substance purchased was confirmed to be approximately 3.4375 grams of methamphetamine, a schedule II controlled substance.
A second purchase allegedly occurred on October 31, 2023, for $160. A crime lab report dated October 31, 2025, confirmed the substance from the second purchase was approximately 5.5335 grams of methamphetamine.
Both purchases allegedly occurred in Fairbury.
Schultz pleaded not guilty.
Amber Young, age 34, of Fairbury, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony.
According to the arrest affidavit, a deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on August 18, 2025, shortly before 11:00 p.m., in Fairbury. Young was identified as the driver of the vehicle. The owner of the vehicle was a passenger. The owner consented to a search of the vehicle.
The deputy wrote in the affidavit, “A search of the passenger door compartment revealed an orange container, which contained a leafy green substance, which I knew from my training and experience to be marijuana. Zig-Zag rolling papers were in the center console.”
In addition, a search of Young’s purse reportedly uncovered a plastic self-seal zip lock bag containing a white crystal substance.
Young pleaded not guilty.
Kasey Renae Barnett, age 37, is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, class 4 felonies, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Barnett was arrested on Thursday, October 9 of this year.
Barnett appeared in court in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. She was released on a Personal Recognizance bond on November 12, 2025, but a motion to revoke her bond was filed on November 18 after the defendant admitted to smoking methamphetamine, according to her probation officer.
Barnett pleaded not guilty.
She remains in custody as of press time.
