Sidney man pleads guilty to growing marijuana

Floyd O. Kettle, of Sidney, pled guilty to a single count of cultivating marijuana, a Class III felony, on Monday in Cheyenne County District Court.

The offense carries a minimum sentence of one year in jail and maximum penalty of 20 years, along with a possible fine of $25,000.

In exchange for his guilty plea, the Cheyenne County Attorney's office asked additional charges for distribution of marijuana within 1,000 feet of park be dropped.

Judge Derek Weimer asked Kettle a series of questions to ensure the defendant understood the charge and potential sentence.

When asked how he wished to plead to the single count against him, Kettle replied, "Guilty, your honor."

Weimer accepted the plea and scheduled sentencing for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 9.

Kettle appeared in court wearing jeans, a white T-shirt and white athletic shoes. With a calm demeanor, he replied to the judge's questions politely.

The charge against Kettle stems from a Western Intelligence Narcotics Group five-month investigation last year.

Thirty-five marijuana plants were removed from an abandoned farm that Kettle cultivated. Initially, he was also charged with selling marijuana to an undercover officer. Kettle was arrested on Sept. 27, 2014.

Brandee Christensen

A 32-year-old woman accused of multiple charges of publishing child pornography and child abuse appeared in district court on Monday.

Brandee Christensen was arrested last fall in conjunction with an investigation by the Sidney Police Department. She is alleged to have taken pornographic photographs and sexually assaulted a toddler.

She appeared in court wearing an orange jail uniform and only spoke six words, to twice say "Yes, your honor," to questions from Weimer.

According to court documents, the crimes occurred in October and November of 2012.

During Monday's hearing, Michael Samuelson presented defense motions on behalf of Christensen.

He requested a deposition from a Nebraska State Patrol investigator, which Weimer granted.

Samuelson also said he was concerned Christensen could be facing double jeopardy. Similar charges have been filed against Christensen in a court in Logan County, Colo., and Samuelson argued if the same photographs were presented as evidence in both cases, she could be charged twice for the same alleged offense.

Samuelson said the Logan County Attorney's office would send the photographs to Weimer, if he requested, to ensure charges weren't duplicated.

Weimer said he would work with Samuelson and Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub on the request.

There are strict rules on the handling of such images, the judge said, and he needs to make sure the transfer of photographs meets all statues and laws.

Christensen will next be in court at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 8 for a status hearing and possible pre-trial conference.