Drug arrestees back in Cheyenne County Court

Two Iowans facing drug charges were back in court Wednesday before Cheyenne County Judge Randin Roland.

Jessica Carroll, 30, and Benjamin Schneider, 20, both of Ames, appeared for status hearings on multiple counts stemming from their Jan. 8 arrests on eastbound Interstate 80, just west of Sidney.

Carroll.

During a traffic stop, authorities were alerted by a smell of marijuana.

Eventually, Nebraska State Patrol trooper Ron Kissler and Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office deputy Fred Wiedeburg discovered heat-sealed packages of marijuana, which weighed 3.4 pounds and two bricks of hasish, weighing about an ounce.

Both Carroll and Schneider are charged with two Class III felony counts of possession with intent to deliver (involving both the marijuana and hashish), Class IV felony possession of marijuana (more than a pound) and Class IV felony possession of marijuana without tax stamps.

Carroll originally faced a fifth felony charge, Class IV possession of a controlled substance (cyclobenzaprine).

That charge has since been dismissed.

Wednesday, Carroll elected to waive her preliminary hearing and she has been bound over for arraignment in District Court before Judge Derek Weimer on Feb. 6 at 3 p.m.

Schneider elected to move forward for his preliminary hearing, which has been set for Jan. 24 at 11 a.m.

The Class III felony counts, upon convictions, carry sentences of one to 50 years imprisonment, and a fine of up to $25,000. Class IV felony charges have maximum incarcerations of five years and fines of up to $10,000.

Both Carroll and Schneider remain in Cheyenne County Jail, in lieu of $100,000, or 10 percent, each.

In other cases heard before Roland Wednesday:

• Cordero Gregory, 21, Sidney, appeared for arraignment on a Class IV charge of violation of an order of protection. Roland set a preliminary hearing for Gregory on Jan. 24 at 2:30 p.m.

• Thomas Senn, 23, Missouri, appeared for arraignment on a Class I misdemeanor count of carrying a concealed weapon. Roland set Senn’s entry of plea hearing for Jan. 24.