Kearney Man Reaches Plea Agreement in Drug Case

A Kearney man arrested for drug possession after a traffic stop has reached a plea agreement.Dominick J. Blea, age 23, appeared in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, October 3, 2024. He appeared via webcam from the Jefferson County Jail. David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge.Blea was originally charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine and alprazolam) each 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. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction that carries a $100 fine. Blea was arrested on March 28, 2024, during the course of a traffic stop in Fairbury. Blea was a passenger in the vehicle. According to the Warrantless Arrest Affidavit, Blea had been ordered by a deputy to remain in the car while the deputy conferred with the driver. The deputy reported that, “I then observed Blea reach into the truck, retrieve the bag on the passenger seat and begin walking.”The deputy ordered Blea back to the car. The bag Blea was carrying was searched. According to the affidavit, “Near the bottom of the bag, I located a clear hard plastic case containing two clear baggies with a crystal substance and two straws. I conducted a field test on one of the baggies, which had a presumptive positive for methamphetamine.”In accordance with the plea agreement, Blea pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted possession, a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.Judge Bargen ordered a PSI (Pre-Sentencing Investigation). Sentencing is scheduled for December 5, 2024. Blea remains in custody as of press time. Bond was originally set at $15,000 (10 percent). It was later reduced to $7,500 (10 percent). However, Blea is currently in custody in Buffalo County in a separate matter and is not scheduled to be released until December 2, 2024.

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