Five Suspects in Drug Bust Appear in Court

Five suspects arrested in a drug bust in Fairbury last Friday morning appeared in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, via webcam from the Jefferson County Jail. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.On December 16, at approximately 7:45 p.m., deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office conducted a Narcotics Search Warrant on a residence at the 1000 block of B Street in Fairbury. Upon entry, five adults and two minor children were located on the premises. According to the Sheriff's Office, multiple controlled substances and related items were found in the residence, including include: methamphetamine, marijuana, THC wax, and “numerous paraphernalia items.”Three of those taken into custody, 36-year-old Thomas Van Harvy Caudy, 51-year-old John Seefus, and 52-year-old MaryAnn Flinn, were arrested on charges of possession of a controlled Substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The other two, 31-year-old Tyler Fazel and 23-year-old Makayla Ruzicka, were arrested and charged with felony child abuse, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a drug house. All suspects were transported to the Jefferson County Jail where they were booked on those charges and bonds were set for each at $10,000 (10 percent) for each.No charges were yet on file when court convened but all defendants are facing felonies.John SeefusSeefus has a prior criminal history, which was noted in court when he requested a bond reduction.On Thursday, June 3, 2001, Seefus was sentenced to 14 months in prison after he pleaded No Contest to possession of a controlled substance.“That doesn't matter,” said Seefus, who believed prior convictions cannot be held against him when determining bond.Judge Bauer explained he was mistaken, that the court is entitled to take into consideration several factors when setting a bond, including prior criminal history.The judge declined to lower the bond.The defendant requested court-appointed council and the court assigned Matthew Kosmicki of Lincoln to represent Seefus. Because the five suspects are co-defendants, they must each have a different attorney. Jefferson County only has one public defender, so the court must hire other attorneys for the related cases.Thomas Van CaudyCaudy also requested a bond reduction.Public defender Scott Gropp was assigned to represent Caudy. Gropp also represents the defendant in two district court cases and informed the court his client had no failures to appear for court as long as Gropp has represented him.The defendant was out on bond in those cases when the was arrested last week.County Attorney Joseph Casson objected to any bond reduction. Judge Bauer continued the bond as previously set.In one of the pending district court cases, Caudy is charged with possession of a controlled substance, class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, 12 months of post- release supervision and a $10,000 fine.Caudy was arrested on October 4, 2022, on a warrant for violating the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry Act. According to an arrest affidavit filled out by a deputy, when the defendant was searched, among the items in his possession was a black key box, “I opened the black key box and observed a white powdery residue inside of it.”The residue field-tested positive for methamphetamine.In the other case, the defendant is charged with violating the Nebraska Sex Offender Registry Act on October 5, 2022. Caudy is subject to the Sex Offender Registry Act as a lifetime offender. He was convicted of first-degree sexual assault on June 14, 2007 and sentenced on September 13, 2007.The Sex Offender Registry Act requires registrants to notify the local Sheriff’s Office of any change of address within three days. According to the Affidavit in Support of Arrest Warrant, Because this is a second offense, that makes the charge a class 2A felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.Makayla RuzickaRuzicka requested court-appointed counsel and local attorney Gregory Kratz was assigned to represent her.When Ruzicka asked for a bond reduction, Casson noted she had no prior record.“I think some bond is appropriate,” said Judge Bauer, who lowered the bond to $5,000 (10 percent).MaryAnn FlinnAttorney Dillon O'Doherty was assigned to represent Flinn.“This is my first time ever being in trouble like this,” said Flinn. “This is ridiculous.”Flinn requested a PR (Personal Recognizance) bond. Judge Bauer denied a PR bond but agreed to lower the bond to $5,000 (10 percent).Tyler FazelThe court appointed attorney Ben Murray to represent Fazel.Casson opposed any reduction in bond.All five defendants are scheduled to be arraigned on January 11, 2023.

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