Fairbury Man Charged with Possession of Drugs and a Sword
Robert L. Jones, age 42, of Fairbury, appeared in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, via webcam from the Jefferson County Jail. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.
Jones is charged with four counts:
- Possession of a weapon by a prohibited person, a class 3 felony punishable by up to four years in prison, two years of post-release supervision and a $25,000 fine;
- Possession of methamphetamine, a class 3 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine;
- Possession of high-concentrate THC (tetrahydrocannabinol ), also a class 3 felony; and p
- Possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction that carries a $100 fine.
On Thursday, March 26, 2026, at approximately 1:37 p.m., deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence in Fairbury. Deputies reported finding “two Zip-Loc baggies containing white powdery residue” which field tested positive for methamphetamine, a “broken glass jar with wax residue” that field tested positive for THX wax, along with multiple pipes and a digital scale.
According to the arrest affidavit, also located at the residence was a “sharpened silver sword with a blade approximately 15-inches long.” Jones has a prior felony conviction, which prohibits him from possessing a deadly weapon.
When asked by Judge Bauer if he understood the charges, Jones responded, “I acknowledge them.”
When the judge asked the defendant if he wanted a court-appointed attorney, at first, he said no. He explained he was “heir to the Berkshire Hathaway fortune” and would be seeking representation from them. Later in the hearing, he changed his mind and attorney Benjamin Murray was assigned to represent him.
Berkshire Hathaway is a massive diversified holding company led by Omaha billionaire Warren Buffett.
The defendant was originally being held on a $5,000 (10 percent) bond. Jones requested a PR (Personal Recognizance) bond. Judge Bauer said the bond was already low for a felony but agreed to further reduce the bond to $3,500 (10 percent).
Jones told the judge he had never before failed to appear for court.
Previous Court Case
In fact, a warrant was issued for Jones by Jefferson County District Court Judge David J.A. Bargen after he failed to appear for court on April 3, 2025.
In that case, Jones was charged with eight counts:
- Possession of a deadly weapon (a knife) by a prohibited person, a class 3 felony punishable by up to four years in prison, nine months to two years post-release supervision and a $25,000 fine;
- 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;
- Possession of high-concentrate THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), also a class 4 felony;
- Operating a vehicle to avoid arrest, also a class 4 felony;
- Reckless driving, a class 3 misdemeanor punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine;
- Driving under a suspended license, also a class 3 misdemeanor;
- Possession of an open alcohol container, an infraction; and
- Possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction.
On August 8, 2024, at approximately 9:43 p.m. a deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office was heading westbound near the intersection of 7th and C Streets in Fairbury and, according to the arrest affidavit, “While the car began turning, my patrol vehicle headlights illuminated the driver, whom I identified as Robert Jones. I knew Jones’s Nebraska driving privilege to be expired, suspended, and revoked. I conducted a U-turn in the intersection and got behind the vehicle. At this time, I visually determined Jones’s speed to be increasing at a high rate. Jones proceeded to turn northbound on D Street I activated my siren and emergency overhead lights at the 7th and D Street intersection. While behind the vehicle I contacted the Jefferson County Dispatch and advised I was in pursuit of a vehicle operated by Robert Jones.”
After a pursuit at speeds reportedly reaching up to 70 miles per hour, Jones was eventually apprehended after he stopped his vehicle and fled on foot.
The deputy that filled out the affidavit wrote, “During a search incident to arrest of Jones person, I located a white wrapper with a waxlike substance. The substance emitted an odor consistent with what I know from my training and experience to be marijuana.”
A search of the suspect’s vehicle also reportedly uncovered a syringe in the driver’s sun visor.
In accordance with a plea agreement, Jones pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempt of a class 3 felony, which is a class 4 felony, and operating a vehicle to avoid arrest. He was sentenced to two years of incarceration, with credit for 314 days time served. Jones was released from prison on September 25, 2025.
