Fairbury Man Accused of Stalking, Faces Probation Revocation

A Fairbury man is facing revocation of his probation in Gage County after being accused of stalking.David L. Beetley, age 63, is on probation for a stalking conviction. A motion to revoke his probation was filed in Gage County Court on March 14, 2023.Original ConvictionOn May 26 2019, Beetley was issued a citation for stalking and trespassing on the alleged victim’s property. The officer who filed the affidavit wrote, “During this incident Beetley is seen on video crawling around in her (the alleged victim’s) driveway just after midnight wearing gloves and the hood of this sweatshirt pulled over his head.”On June 9, 2019, after a hearing, Beetley was served with an ex-parte Harrassment Protection Order, stating in part, “Beetley is enjoined and prohibited from threatening, assaulting, molesting, attacking, or otherwise disturbing the peace of the petitioner.”On August 7, 2019, law enforcement was informed of three new incidents reported by the victim that occurred over the previous weekend.On August 18, 2019, while conducting surveillance due to the ongoing investigation of the defendant, law enforcement observed Beetley’s vehicle, “drive by twice within one block of the victim’s residence. I then observed David L. Beetley’s red 2018 Jeep parked less than one block from the victim’s residence.”This is according to a Probable Cause For Warrantless Arrest.Within one minute of seeing the vehicle drive by, the officer “observed a flashlight on the north side of the victim’s house in the yard.”The officer “announced himself and yelled for Beetley to stop and Beetley took off running.”The officer pursued the defendant on foot. Another officer saw the defendant and wrote in the affidavit, “When I observed Beetley run north across Belvedere in front of me, I announced myself, yelled for him to stop and advised he was under arrest. He did not stop and continued running north. Beetley then turned around and ran south in the direction of where his vehicle was parked. I yelled again for Beetley to stop and that he was under arrest. He did not stop. As I got closer I announced myself again and yelled for him to stop where he eventually stopped and got on the ground in the yard.”The officer noted that, “Beetley was wearing a ski mask, gloves and carrying a flashlight.”One of the officers also located, “a large garbage bag full of garbage with an overwhelming foul smell on the ground.” This was near where Beetley was first seen in the victim’s yard.Beetley was originally charged with felony stalking, multiple counts of violating a harassment order, second degree trespassing and resisting arrest. In accordance with a plea agreement, he pleaded to a reduced charge of misdemeanor stalking, along with one count of second degree trespassing and obstruction of a peace officer. He was sentenced to 24 months of probation.Alleged Probation ViolationsAccording to the motion, Beetley violated term 1 of his probation, “That the said Defendant, DAVID L. BEETLEY, was to obey all city ordinances, the laws of any state, and the laws of the United States.”The motion also accuses Beetley of violating term 17(a), (b), (c) & (d), “That the said Defendant, DAVID L. BEETLEY, was to (a) not harass, molest, intimidate, retaliate against or tamper with any witness or victim of any acts for which Defendant was been convicted. (b) have no contact with the victim or the victim’s son, directly or indirectly. (c) not to go to the home of the victim, or any place the victim is likely to be found, including work or shopping. Remain 100 yards away from the victim at all times. (d) not to leave the county of residence (Jefferson) without permission of the probation officer.”Beetley was arrested on February 14, 2023, after a report that he had driven to the alleged victim's home. According to the arrest affidavit, Beetley “was well known to Fillmore County Deputies from multiple prior stalking calls…”The affidavit also notes that a search of Beetley's vehicle uncovered, “several concerning items.” Among those was a notepad that, according to deputies, “contained several potential license plates and vehicle descriptions which appeared to be out of Nebraska,” along with a partial Kansas license plate number.Also found in the vehicle were “blankets or sheets covering the rear seats and rear hatch compartments. Gloves and duct tape were found on the rear seat floorboard and mud boots in the very back of the vehicle.”Fillmore County Dispatch has recorded 14 calls from the alleged victim dating back to March of 2020.Plea Agreement in Fillmore County CaseThe defendant was arraigned in Fillmore County Court on February 15, 2023. The presiding judge was Michael P. Burns, who set bond at $250,000 (10 percent). The bond has a no-contact provision.In this case, Beetley was originally charged with stalking, a class 3A felony punishable by up to three years in prison, plus nine to 18 months of post-release supervision. In accordance with a plea agreement, the defendant pleaded No Contest to a reduced charge of attempt of a class 3 or 3A felony, which is a class 4 felony. He was sentenced to one year in jail, with credit for 237 days time served.Plea Agreement in Gage County CaseIn the Gage County case, the defendant admitted to the probation violations. In accordance with a plea agreement, the State has agreed to remain silent at sentencing.Gage County District Court Judge Rick A. Schreiner ordered an updated PSI (Pre-Sentencing Investigation). Sentencing is scheduled for February 7, 2024.Beetley is currently housed at the Gage County Jail.

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