Duke Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

A Fairbury man was given two years in prison after being accused of violating the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry Act. Jody W. Duke, age 41, of Fairbury appeared in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, May 2, 2024, in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge.Duke was originally facing a felony charge for failing to update his address with Nebraska Sex Offender Registry. This is not the first time he has been accused of this offense, making the charge a felony. Duke is a person subject to the Nebraska Sex Offender Registration Act as a 15-year offender. He is charged with violating the Sex Offender Registry Act by failing to report a change of address as required. The charge is a class 3A felony punishable by up to three years in prison, plus nine to 18 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine. In accordance with a plea agreement, Duke pleaded no contest to a reduce charge of attempt of a class 3 or 3A felony, which is a class 4 felony, punishable by up to two years in prison and one year of post-release supervision. Duke has a string of prior arrests and convictions in Jefferson County, including other charges of violating the Sex Offender Registry Act. The defendant was represented by Public Defender Scott Gropp, who told the court his client can be a productive member of society when he maintains sobriety. Per Gropp, Duke's primary impediment to continued sobriety is the company he keeps in Fairbury. Gropp said, “What he would like is to be placed on probation and get out of Fairbury.” However, Judge Bargen said, “ The defendant has not led a law abiding life.” Bargen sentenced Duke to two years, with credit for 141 days time served. Duke was then remanded to the custody of the sheriff's office to carry out the sentence.

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