Diller Man Facing Drug and Weapon Charges
Justin B. Cribbs, 46, of Diller, appeared in Jefferson County Court via webcam from the Jefferson County Jail on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.
Cribbs was arraigned on charges of possession of methamphetamine, a class 3 felony punishable by up to four years in prison; and possession of a deadly weapon (knife) by a felon, 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.
Nebraska law prohibits an individual with a felony conviction from possessing a deadly weapon. On January 21, 2019, Cribbs was sentenced to 90 days in jail and 12 months of probation after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony.
According to the arrest affidavit, on August 6, 2025, deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office witnessed, “parked in the middle of the alley directly behind an address known to be distributing narcotics. I observed the vehicle leave the alley and begin heading south on C Street. The car appeared to evade law enforcement presence by speeding up and taking the first available turns. I observed the vehicle fail to stop at the stop sign located at the intersection of 3rd and D Street.”
A traffic stop was conducted and Cribbs was identified as the driver. He denied deputies permission to conduct a search and a K9 unit was called for a “drug sniff.”
According to the deputy that filled out the affidavit, the K9, “gave a positive alert and indication, giving me probable cause to search the vehicle.”
Per the affidavit, “During the search of the car, a black paracord handled knife with a blade length over 3.5 inches was in the center console in plain view,” and “A search of Cribbs’ wallet revealed a plastic self-seal bag with a white crystal substance.”
The deputy indicated the substance field tested positive for methamphetamine.
Cribbs was arrested at the scene.
The defendant was originally held on a $20,000 (10 percent) bond, which was later reduced to $7,500. He is represented by Public Defender Scott Gropp, who asked for a further reduction to $1,000. County Attorney Joseph Casson opposed such a low bond.
Judge Bauer noted the bond was already low for a felony charge but agreed to reduce the amount to $5,000 (100 percent).
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 10, 2025.
