Mitchell Pleads Not Guilty To Criminal Mischief

A North Platte teen is in adult court, after he was arrested in connection with a rash of vandalism in the city.

17-year-old Casey Mitchell pled not guilty to ten counts of criminal mischief in Lincoln County District Court.

Judge Donald Rowlands set Mitchell's trial for January 15th.

There is a chance his case will be transferred to juvenile court.

Mitchell was one of two people arrested after several cars and businesses had their windows vandalized.

The vandalism caused over 60-thousand dollars in damage to cars and businesses.




12 Months Probation

A North Platte woman convicted of arson will spend the next several months on probation.

43-year -old Royalene Hernandez was found guilty of Attempted 1st degree Arson.

District Judge Donald Rowlands sentenced her to 12 months' probation.

Rowlands told Hernandez he sentenced her to probation because she got a favorable recommendation from her treatment facility.

Rowlands added arson is a serious crime that can have deadly consequences.

Firefighters responded to Hernandez's home last April to battle a fire.

Hernandez started the carpet on fire because another resident refused to leave.

No one was injured.



Moreno Pleads Not Guilty To Cruelty To Animals

A North Platte man says he is not guilty of neglecting his dog.

46-year-old Phillip Moreno Jr. pled not guilty to cruelty to animals.

Judge Donald Rowlands set his trial for January 15th.

Two local women found Moreno's Yorkie with masking tape around his midsection and the dog appeared to be very filthy.

The women took the dog to the veterinarian.

The vet peeled off the masking tape and discovered a wound infested with maggots.

The maggots spread in the dog's internal organs.

There was no way to save the dog so it had to be euthanized.