Trey Saathoff in Custody

Trey D. Saathoff, 26, of Lincoln, appeared in Jefferson County Court via webcam from the Lancaster County Jail on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.Saathoff was previously scheduled to be arraigned on January 25, 2023, but failed to appear. A warrrant was issued for his arrest.The defendant was arraigned on a charge of DUI (Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs). A prior conviction makes this a class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.Court records indicate Saathoff was previously convicted of DUI in July of 2014 and January of 2017, both in Gage County.On December 22, 2022, at approximately 1:24 a.m., Jefferson County deputies responded to a report of a vehicle, “driving erratically and in excess of the speed limit west bound on Highway 136 in Fairbury.” A traffic stop was conducted and Saathoff was arrested at the scene.Saathoff requested court-appointed counsel and Public Defender Scott Gropp was assigned to represent him. The defendant requested a different attorney, Benjamin Murray, who had represented Saathoff in a previous case. Judge Bauer denied the request, noting that Murray is not a public defender for Jefferson County and is only assigned to cases by the court when there is a conflict of interest or another matter that would prevent the public defender from taking a case.Saathoff is being held on a $5,000 (10 percent) bond. Saathoff requested release on a “treatment bond.” He stated there was a bed available for him at a treatment facility.Judge Bauer told the defendant he would have to provide proof that a bed was available for him, “We're not necessarily prepared to take your word for it.”In addition, Saathoff is currently serving six months in Lancaster County Jail after pleading no contest on November 3, 2023, to a charge of theft by deception of more than $500 but less than $1,500.Another hearing is set for March 27, 2024.Prior Criminal HistoryIn addition to prior DUI convictions, Saathoff has had other run-ins with the law.Saathoff was one of five individuals convicted in a homicide that occurred at Crystal Springs Park in Fairbury on July 1, 2019. He was originally charged as an accessory to murder. In accordance with a plea agreement, the charge was reduced to attempt of a class 2A felony, which is a class 3A felony. Saathoff was sentenced to three years’ incarceration and 18 months of post-release supervision.A motion to revoke Saathoff's post-release supervision was filed on March 31, 2021, noting multiple failures to keep appointments with the Probation Officer.On May 24, 2022, Saathoff was sentenced to 90 days for receiving stolen property in Gage County.On June 9, 2022, Saathoff was sentenced to 22 months in jail, followed by 18 months of post-release supervision in Jefferson County.In that case, Saathoff was originally charged with four counts: aiding and abetting the manufacture or distribution of methamphetamine (28 to 139 grams), a class 1C felony; aiding and abetting the manufacture or distribution of zolpidem, a class 3A felony; possession of methamphetamine and possession of zolpidem, both class 4 felonies.In according with a plea agreement, Saathoff pleaded No Contest to aiding and abetting and possession of a controlled substance. The remaining charges were dismissed.

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