Man pleads not guilty to infant child abuse

A man pleaded not guilty Monday to two charges of felony child abuse.

James Kevin Coleman, 31, appeared in Lincoln County District Court.

In June, North Platte police began investigating after Coleman's 2-month-old son was taken to the hospital with bruises, fractured ribs and a skull fracture.

Police later learned that another of Coleman's children, now 2, had visited the emergency room or family doctor numerous times as an infant, which had then concerned doctors. Coleman was arrested in January.

In 2009, he pleaded no contest to third-degree assault after a 3-month-old suffered a skull fracture. Coleman completed probation in that case.

In other district court cases Monday:

» A woman charged with abuse of a vulnerable adult pleaded no contest. Prosecutors said Anne Ponce, also known as Anne Cox, 43, asked a man with developmental disabilities for money and drove him to several cash-advance locations, where he took out a total of $325. Ponce will be sentenced May 8.

» Victoria Winder, 34, was sentenced to two years in prison after violating a protection order. Winder apologized, saying she has made many mistakes in recent years, and that there's "a lot under the surface." She was given credit for 97 days served.

» Three people were sentenced in separate cases of assaulting peace officers.

Maria Burke, 36, apologized in person to both of the police officers whom she assaulted, and both officers wrote the court letters in her support. She has "made a lot of steps to take control of her life," said her attorney, Amanda Speichert. Prosecutors agreed. Burke was sentenced to 18 months' probation and the 63 days of jail she already served.

Melissa Ohlson, 26, pleaded no contest to third-degree assault of a peace officer or health care worker. During an August disturbance at Sculley's Shooters , she threatened another woman, pushed a police officer and kicked a staff member at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

Deputy County Attorney Tanya Roberts-Connick said Ohlson's prior charges are all alcohol-related. "Usually, we don't see her if she's sober," she said.

Ohlson was sentenced to two years' probation and was ordered not to use alcohol or enter places where alcohol is served as a primary business.

Joshua Foust, 27, was sentenced to 24 months of probation for third-degree assault on a peace officer or health care professional and attempted failure to register as a sex offender.

While County Attorney Rebecca Harling said Foust had been placed on probation "a number of times to no avail," Foust's attorney, Blaine Gillett, noted that Foust's arrest took place after his family reported a suicide attempt. Foust has since found housing in a transitional home and is "taking steps to understand his mental health issues," Gillett said. He feared prison would be counterproductive.

"I would really like to attend my counseling sessions," Foust said. His probation included orders related to therapy, rehabilitation and community support.

» Brian Lohman, 29, was sentenced to 1½ to three years of prison for conspiracy to commit theft. While his attorney, Michael Nozicka, noted that this was Lohman's first felony and that his prior record included "petty things," Deputy County Attorney Angela Franz said that Lohman had a "significant amount of restitution" that she wasn't sure could ever be paid.

Judge Richard Birch cited the theft as "well over $11,000." Lohman apologized for his actions and was given credit for 74 days served.

» Jackson Seitz, 18, was sentenced to 230 days in jail with credit for 208 days served for two counts of attempted burglary. His attorney, Martin Troshynski, said Seitz had been doing well and working but began using pills and "fell off the ledge." He said Seitz struggles with his father's death.

"I have real concerns with taking an 18-year-old kid and sending him off to prison," Troshynski said. Birch told Seitz he faces prison should he ever be arrested again.

» Christopher Davis, 34, pleaded no contest to attempted possession of methamphetamine and attempted theft of less than $500. Prosecutors said Davis was arrested after causing a disturbance at McDonald's and refusing to leave; he was later found to be in possession of methamphetamine. Davis was later admitted to Great Plains Health in his jail uniform and didn't return it, leading to the theft charge. He was sentenced to 300 days in jail and given credit for 150 days served.

» Alex Solis-Roney, 25, pleaded no contest to third-degree domestic assault and will be sentenced May 22.

» Marquee Nailer, 32, was sentenced to 180 days in jail for third-degree domestic assault and third-degree assault, and given credit for two days served. His attorney, Robert Lindemeier, said the incident involved mutual slapping.

» Sarah Nesslein, 27, pleaded no contest to third-degree assault and was sentenced to 12 months probation.

» Niki Collins, 28, pleaded no contest to theft of $500 or less, her second offense, and was sentenced to 30 days in jail with 13 days' credit.

» Kenneth Goddard, 32, was sentenced to two years' probation for his third charge of driving under the influence. The sentence includes 30 days of jail with credit for time served to be determined later. He was barred from driving for 45 days and must have an interlock device in his vehicle for two years.

» Beau Greenwood, 30, pleaded guilty to his fourth offense of driving under the influence, as well as driving under suspension. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, 15 years with an interlock device in his vehicle and 45 days of no driving.

» Teresa Marshall, 36, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and was sentenced to the 110 days she served.

» Timothy Hood, 28, was sentenced to 30 days in jail for his third charge of driving under the influence. He was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, place an interlock device in his car and not drive for 45 days.

» Frederick Seaton, 54, admitted to violating probation and was sentenced to 120 days in jail and given credit for 40 days served.

» Raymond Fogle, 65, pleaded no contest to possession of marijuana with intent to deliver and possession of a defaced firearm. He will be sentenced May 22.

» Martina Arroyo, 22, admitted to violating probation and had it revoked.

» James Kohl, 29, admitted to violating provisions of drug court and will be sentenced May 8.