Dalton Meyer Arrested
Dalton J. Meyer, age 24, of Fairbury, appeared in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, via webcam, from the Jefferson County Jail, where he was lodged after being arrested for failing to appear for court. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.
A bench warrant was issued for Meyer after he failed to appear on Wednesday, December 20, 2023. He is charged with theft with a value of less than $500, a class 2 misdemeanor punishable by six months in jail and a $500 fine.
Meyer was later arrested in Lincoln. He was not represented by an attorney.
The defendant pleaded guilty to shoplifting a charger from a Fairbury business.
“I didn’t want to do that,” Meyer told the judge. “I didn’t have the money to afford it.”
County Attorney Joseph Casson recommended a short jail sentence. Judge Bauer sentenced Meyer to three days, with credit for three days time served, and fined $50.
A previous warrant had been issued for Meyer for another case on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, after he failed to appear for court on that date as well. The defendant had signed a citation promising to appear on November 2.
In that case, Meyer is charged with driving during a time that his driver’s license was revoked, a class 2 misdemeanor, and speeding 11 to 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, an infraction.
Meyer has a prior conviction for driving under a revoked license.
At first, Meyer pleaded guilty to speeding and not guilty to driving under a revoked license. He then attempted to change his plea to guilty on both counts but said, “I don’t think I should have been charged.”
Judge Bauer accepted the plea for speeding but not for driving while license revoked, “I can’t accept a plea (of guilty) if you are denying you’re guilty.”
The judge added, “I don’t want to do it today just because you are desperate to get out of jail.”
Bond was previously set at $2,500 (10 percent). The defendant requested the bond be lowered. Casson opposed any reduction.
Judge Bauer agreed to lower the bond to $1,500 (10 percent), meaning the defendant would have to pay $150. Meyer said it was still more than he could pay and asked if it could be lowered. The judge declined to reduce the bond any further.
Another hearing is scheduled for March 3, 2024.
