County Attorney: “He Needs to Stay in Jail”

A Western man is facing multiple court cases, including counts of driving under a suspended license, criminal impersonation and drug charges.Joshua V. Poley, age 29, appeared in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.In this most recent case, Poley is charged with possession of methamphetamine, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, nine to 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine; possession of less than one ounce of marijuana, an infraction that carries a $300 fine; and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction that carries a $100 fine.On April 5, 2024, deputies with the sheriff's office executed a search warrant at a house in Fairbury. Deputies located Poley as well as another adult and three juveniles in the residence.According to the arrest affidavit, “On the kitchen table, readily accessible to all occupants of the house, was a tray with marijuana, which was uncovered and in plain view. Next to the tray was a clear zip-lock baggie with approximately 4 (four) grams of marijuana. Underneath the tray was a black case, which, upon opening, revealed several items of drug paraphernalia, such as glass pipes, a bag of syringes, a small burnt bag containing a crystal substance, and pills. One of the glass pipes had a presumptive positive for methamphetamine, and another was used for marijuana. An orange glass pipe used for smoking marijuana was discovered on the table, in plain view and within reach of the children. Inside the window seal. Behind the kitchen table, were several unused clear baggies and a suspected methamphetamine pipe, which was also within reach of the children, in plain view. On the kitchen floor was also a broken glass pipe believed to be used to smoke methamphetamine.”The affidavit also noted, “The bathroom medicine cabinet contained approximately ten used syringes and a shot glass containing a metal cap with a white crystal substance. The substance had a presumptive positive for methamphetamine.”Public Defender Scott Gropp was assigned to defend Poley. Gropp represents Poley in his other cases as well.Earlier this month, in a separate case, Poley was arraigned on charges of criminal impersonation, a class 4 felony; driving under a suspended license, a class 3 misdemeanor; and false reporting, a class 1 misdemeanor.Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff's office conducted a traffic stop on March 16, 2024, at approximately 5:20 p.m., near the intersection of 6th and J Streets in Fairbury. The vehicle was a red Cadillac Deville. According to the arrest affidavit, the driver could not provide a license, registration or insurance information. The affidavit also indicates the defendant provided what was later determined to be a false name and date of birth.The driver was placed in the back seat of the deputy's patrol vehicle while paperwork was completed. He was then released after being given a warning violation.Afterwards, at the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, the deputy downloaded and reviewed the traffic stop camera video. While reviewing the backseat camera video, the deputy say that the suspect called an unknown individual, stating, “I'm probably getting false reporting and possession,” and “I gave them my little brother's name.”According to the deputy, “I then realized that he was, in fact, Joshua Poley, who had two active warrants out of Jefferson County, Nebraska.”Both warrants were for prior charges of driving under a suspended license, for which Poley failed to appear for court in 2023.The defendant was being held on a $10,000 (10 percent) bond. Gropp told the court his client was unable to pay that amount and requested a PR (Personal Recognizance) bond.County Attorney Joseph Casson opposed a PR bond.“He keeps stacking up cases,” said Casson. “He needs to stay in jail.”Judge Bauer denied the request for a PR bond but agreed to lower the bond to $7,500 (10 percent).All the open cases were continued until May 15, 2024.

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