Apology precedes sentencing in theft case

Jarred Neuhalfen told the court he was sorry for his actions before being sentenced on Wednesday to five years of intensive supervised probation for theft by receiving stolen property, a class four felony.

“I just want to apologize to the community,” Neuhalfen said.

He added that Sidney was a good place to live and he didn’t mean to sully the reputation of outsiders.

This was an amended charge, which was dropped in exchange for a plea agreement. The 20-year-old Sidney resident was originally charged with one count of theft by receiving stolen property and one count of theft. Neuhalfen was given credit for 12 days in custody for the offense.

The state, represented by deputy Cheyenne County attorney Jonathon Stellar, asked for a sentence of probation in this case. The defendant was in the company of his younger brother when the brother stole a car and ultimately returned it, Stellar explained.

“The defendant was very cooperative with law enforcement from the start,” Stellar said, adding that the state believed that probation would benefit Neuhalfen.

“He recognizes that he has some responsibility,” said Joel Jay, representing the defense.

Neuhalfen’s brother was put on probation by the juvenile court, the attorney said.

“He knows that he needs to stand on his own and take responsibility for his actions,” Jay said.

Neuhalfen has shown a level of maturity since this incident that he did not demonstrate when perpetrating this crime, Jay added.

District court judge Derek Weimer placed the defendant on intensive supervised probation for five years. Weimer took into account Neuhalfen’s previous juvenile record, due to the fact that those offenses occurred fairly recently. Some of those juvenile offenses entailed taking property that did not belong to the defendant, Weimer said. Nuehalfen was also ordered to serve 100 hours of community service.