Transient Pleads Not Guilty to Trespassing and Criminal Mischief
A Fairbury man currently listed as a transient has pleaded not guilty to trespassing and criminal mischief.
Jody W. Duke, age 42, of Fairbury was arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.
Duke was arrested on Tuesday, March 4. Both trespass and criminal mischief are class 3 misdemeanors punishable by up to three months in jail and a $500 fine.
Deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office were dispatched to a residence in Fairbury at approximately 9:35 p.m. According to the deputy that filled out the arrest affidavit, the window and screen door of a trailer parked behind the residence had been “kicked in” and “the door was jammed shut.”
The deputy also reported, “There was a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from the trailer.”
Duke had previously been trespassed from that address on February 26 of this year.
The defendant pleaded not guilty. At a prior hearing on March 5, Duke told the court, “I plan on fighting this case.”
Duke remains free on a PR (Personal Recognizance) bond.
Duke has a string of prior arrests and convictions in Jefferson County, including charges of violating the Sex Offender Registry Act. Duke is subject to the Nebraska Sex Offender Registration Act as a 15-year offender.
