Drunk driver back in court on drug rap

McCOOK, Neb. -- A drunk driver responsible for the 2008 accident that sheared a power pole, caused a natural gas leak and sent him and a passenger to the Kearney hospital via emergency response helicopter was back in court last week facing a laundry list of recent drug charges.

39-year-old Ryan Stecker of 604 W. Fourth Street pleaded not guilty in three different criminal cases and was scheduled for separate jury trials in each case.

Stecker and the passenger with him during the 2008 accident, 43-year-old Senamon R. Rogers of 1209 West 12th Street, both faced recent criminal cases in Red Willow County District Court last week.

Rogers was found guilty at trial on several drug related charges and fined $300, as well as ordered to serve 36 months probation. She was found guilty of a Class 4 felony for possession of a controlled substance; a Class 2 misdemeanor for operating a motor vehicle on a revoked driver's license; a Class 3 misdemeanor for unlawful possession of a legend drug, gabapentin; and infractions for possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and an open alcohol container.

The charges stemmed from a 2012 Nebraska State Patrol traffic stop at 2:41 p.m. near the intersection of East Seventh Street and C Street in McCook.

Stecker pleaded not guilty to several drug and traffic charges stemming from a Oct. 2, 2013, Red Willow County Sheriff's Department traffic stop on County Road 384. The case was scheduled for trail at 9 a.m. on Nov. 12, 2014.

Stecker is facing a Class 4 felony for possession of methamphetamine; a Class 3 misdemeanor for possession of a prescription substance in an unauthorized container; a Class 3 misdemeanor taillight violation for having a white light to the rear; infractions for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia; and traffic violations for not having registration or insurance.

Stecker pleaded not guilty to three felony drug possession charges and other offenses stemming from a second arrest on County Road 384 by the Sheriff's department on Nov. 19, 2013. The case was scheduled for trial 9 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2014.

Stecker is facing a Class 3 felony for possession of oxycodone with intent to deliver; two Class 4 felony offenses for possession of hydrocodone and methamphetamine; a Class 1 misdemeanor for violating a protection order; and infractions for possession of marijuana and possession of an open alcohol container.

Stecker also pleaded not guilty to a pair of felony drug possession offenses stemming from an April 7, 2014, incident involving his vehicle, which was parked at the Red Willow County Courthouse. The case was scheduled for trail at 9 a.m. on Jan. 7, 2015.

Stecker is facing two Class 4 felony offenses for possession of methamphetamine and hydrocodone; as well as an infraction for possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both Stecker and Rogers were initially listed in critical condition following the 2008 accident. Stecker suffered back and internal injuries in the accident. Rogers suffered a fractured neck, broken elbow and injuries to her right knee. The injuries occurred when Stecker's pickup apparently hit and sheared off a power pole in the 700 block of East A Street, which was posted with a "Road Closed" street sign, tore off emergency shut-off valves in a natural gas pipeline assembly, hit a dirt embankment and tumbled, flipped and rolled.