Arraignments in Jefferson County District Court
Several defendants were arraigned in Jefferson County District Court the morning of Thursday, April 2, 2026. Each defendant is charged with at least one felony and was bound over from county court. All defendants were in custody at the time of arraignment. David. J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge.
Nicholas Kent Roehl, age 46, and Jaimee D. Kleinbohl, age 31, both of Fairbury, are each charged with first degree sexual assault of a child, a class 1B felony punishable by 20 years to life in prison; the purchase or distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), a class 3 felony punishable by four years in prison, two years of post-release supervision and a $25,000 fine; the production of CSAM, a class 1D felony punishable by three to 50 years in prison; and possession of CSAM, a class 2A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
On August 18th, 2025, a search warrant was served at a residence in Fairbury. Multiple electronic items were seized. The affidavit indicates those devices were attributed to Roehl. Investigators reportedly “located approximately 900 files of sexually explicit conduct which has a child as one of its participants or portrayed observers within the data.” The affidavit also indicates sexually explicit photos were shared in Kik using accounts matching the couple’s IP address.
Terry Lee Johnston II, age 51, of Fremont is charged with child abuse not resulting in injury and third-degree domestic assault, each a class 3A felony up to three years in prison, 18 months of post-release supervision, and a $10,000 fine.
On January 15, 2026, the defendant contacted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office and, according to the arrest affidavit, reported that his wife “had accused him of domestic assault.”
Johnston was being held on a $35,000 (10 percent) bond with a condition of no-contact with the alleged victim. Through his attorney, Public Defender Scott Gropp, he requested a reduced bond of $10,000 (10 percent). County Attorney Joseph Casson said he would not object as long as the no-contact provision remained.
Judge Bargen agreed to reduce the bond some, to $25,000 (10 percent).
Caitlyn H. Grable, age 27, is charged with six counts: possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, a class 2 felony punishable by one to 50 years in prison; possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, a class 3 felony punishable by up to four years in prison, two years of post-release supervision and a $25,000 fine; use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, also a class 2 felony; possession of money while in violation of §28-416, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine; possession of a controlled substance without a drug tac stamp, a class 4 felony; and possession of a controlled substance, also a class 4 felony.
On Thursday, January 21, 2026, at approximately 3:45 p.m., deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search warrant at the residence of on 7th Street in Fairbury. Two individuals were arrested, Grable, and Zachary A. Roland, age 25. Grable was booked into the Jefferson County Jail.
Grable is being held on a $75,000 (10 percent) bond. Her attorney, Scott Gropp, asked the bond be reduced to $24,000. Casson opposed any reduction, noting the defendant’s prior felony conviction.
Grable was one of five suspects charged in the death of Marc C. Jarrell of Lincoln. Jarrell was killed on July 1, 2019, at Crystal Springs Park in Fairbury. She pleaded guilty in Jefferson County District Court to being an accessory to homicide, a class 2A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison. On January 7, 2021, she was sentenced to eight to 12 years, with credit for 551 days time served. She was released from prison on February 19, 2025.
Judge Bargen denied the request.
Grable currently has another case pending in Gage County District Court. She is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, one year of post-release supervision and a $100,000 fine. She is also charged with driving under a revoked license, a class 3 misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction.
Grable was arrested on September 13, 2025, after a traffic stop and a search of her vehicle. She was free on a $2,500 (10 percent) bond when she was arrested in Jefferson County.
Grable currently has another case pending in Gage County District Court. She is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, one year of post-release supervision and a $100,000 fine. She is also charged with driving under a revoked license, a class 3 misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction.
Grable was arrested on September 13, 2025, after a traffic stop and a search of her vehicle. She was free on a $2,500 (10 percent) bond when she was arrested in Jefferson County.
Spencer Zane Pingel, age 25, has two cases pending. In one case, Pingel is charged with three counts of burglary, a class 2A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and one count of theft by unlawful taking, a class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
In the second case, Pingel is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine; driving under a suspended license, a class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine; driving without displaying proper plates, also a class 3 misdemeanor; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction punishable by a $100 fine.
Pingel was arrested February 1, 2026, after a traffic stop. The affidavit indicates Pingel consented to a search, which reportedly uncovered “a white crystalline substance in the glove compartment” which field tested positive for methamphetamine.
Dylan R. Zimmerling, age 33, is charged with nine counts of possession or receipt of a stolen firearm, a class 2A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison; and nine counts of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, a class 1D felony punishable by three to 50 years in prison.
Zimmerling has a prior felony conviction. 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.”
The defendant was being held on a $250,000 (10 percent) bond. His attorney, Benjamin Murray, told the court, “We’re asking for a significant reduction.”
Murray noted his client’s codefendant was given a substantially lower bond at $150,000 (10 percent).
The county attorney opposed any reduction, pointing out that the codefendant in the case does not have a prior criminal history. He also said Zimmerling has “No significant ties to the community.”
Judge Bargen denied the motion to lower the bond.
