Defendant Arrested in Court Immediately After Being Sentenced to Probation

A Fairbury man was arrested in court on a warrant immediately after being sentenced to probation on a other matter. Cory L. Nutsch, age 34, of Fairbury, appeared in Jefferson County Court on Thursday, April 3, 2025. David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge.Nutsch was originally 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. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction that carries a $100 fine. On March 20, 2024, a Nebraska State Trooper pulled into a gas station in Fairbury. According to the arrest affidavit, the trooper saw an individual at a pump that he recognized as the defendant. A warrant for Nutsch's failure to appear for court was active at that time.Nutsch was arrested. The trooper reported that, during a search of the suspect, he discovered, “a metal straw.” The trooper also noted there was, “a white powder residue within the straw,” and that the results of a field test of the residue was, “consist. with (m)ethamphetamine.”In accordance with a plea agreement, Nutsch pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted possession, a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. The paraphernalia charge was dismissed. At sentencing, the defendant's attorney, Public Defender Scott Gropp, advised the court that his client was asking for a “short term of probation.”Judge Bargen sentenced Nutsch to two years probation.Before Nutsch left the courtroom, he was arrested by deputies on a warrant out of Gage County for failure to pay child support.This is not the defendant's first dealing with the court system.A bench trial was held for Nutsch in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, July 3, 2024. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge. The defendant had been charged with first degree criminal trespass, a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. An additional charge of failure to appear for court was later added. Nutsch was originally arrested on June 7, 2023. He was freed on a $3,500 (10 percent) bond but did not appear for a hearing on August 9, 2023. County Attorney Joseph Casson requested the warrant, which was granted by Judge Bauer, and a new bond was set at $3,500 (10 percent).Failure to appear is a class 2 misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.The county attorney had previously offered to dismiss the criminal trespass charge if Nutsch would plead guilty or no contest to the failure to appear charge. Nutsch rejected the offer and the case was set for trial. Judge Bauer found Nutsch not guilty of trespass but guilty of failing to appear for court and sentenced him to three days in jail, with credit for three days time served. He was also fined $150.

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