2 city officials make court appearances

Two high-ranking City of Sidney employees appeared in court Monday morning, with one agreeing to a plea deal that resolved his case.

Sidney Public Services Director John Hehnke pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of disturbing the peace and received a fine of $300 plus court costs from Judge Paul Wess. In exchange for the plea, a charge of misdemeanor unlawful intrusion was dropped by Assistant Attorney General Doug Warner, who was named a special prosecutor in the case by the Cheyenne County Court.

Warner was appointed after an application was made by County Attorney Paul Schaub, which is normal procedure in a case where there is a potential conflict of interest.

In a separate arraignment, Sidney Police Chief B.J. Wilkinson entered a not guilty plea to a charge of misdemeanor obstruction of government operations. A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for June 22 at 8:30 a.m. Additionally, a trial date was set aside for July 17 at 8:30 a.m.

“That’s our plan as of today – to go to trial,” said Wilkinson’s attorney Thomas Sonntag. “Mr. Hehnke’s plea deal in this case has nothing to do with Mr. Wilkinson’s case. Nothing should be read into that.”

Sonntag also represented Hehnke in court on Monday.

“The police were called to scene so it’s hard to argue that fact,” Sonntag said about the Hehnke case outside the courtroom following the no contest plea. “It was his wish. That’s how he wanted to resolve this.”

Both cases are a result of an incident that took place Jan. 29, 2014.

That’s when the Sidney Police Department investigated an allegation that involved Hehnke and an ex-girlfriend. The event happened at her home in the evening while Hehnke was off duty.

“Mr. Hehnke was in the process of trying to make amends with his girlfriend,” Sonntag said in court. “He has no prior criminal record and had no intent of harming her. He is a productive citizen in this community.”

Wilkinson decided to handle the situation administratively through the proper channels rather than through the court system, according to Sidney City Manager Gary Person. He was charged earlier this month with the obstruction count.

In a statement issued earlier by Person, he said he’s anticipating in a positive outcome.

“We feel confident that Chief Wilkinson did not obstruct government operations,” Person said. “He handled the situation to the satisfaction of the complaining party at the time. He spoke with the former girlfriend, who was satisfied with the administrative plan of action.

“It is an important part of the chief’s job to use his discretion to determine how to handle situations with the police department,” he added.