Grand Island stalking case headed to trial court

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - The case against a Florida man accused of stalking a Grand Island woman is headed to trial court.

Court records show police arrested Jared Heinz, 34, of New Port Richey, Florida, on Sept. 6, when he traveled to Nebraska.

Heinz was given a protection order in May. Then, on May 28, the woman reported that Heinz tried to send her money through a Venmo account.

Heinz is charged with felony stalking and waived an evidence hearing Monday. The case was transferred to Hall County District Court for possible trial. An arraignment is scheduled Oct. 27.

At arraignment, a defendant typically pleads guilty or not guilty to the charges faced.

Three related charges of violating a protection order were dropped.

On a separate matter, Heinz is charged with felony extortion. A police report indicates that Heinz threatened the woman’s brother. The report indicates that Heinz threatened to release what he called “incriminating information” about the man’s business unless the man paid him $40,000.

Heinz also waived an evidence hearing in that case and the district court hearing for that charge is scheduled for Oct. 27.

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