NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (AP) — The Nebraska State Patrol says troopers have seized more than 900 vape cartridges containing the psychoactive substance found in marijuana.

The patrol said in a news release Tuesday that 947 of the cartridges containing tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, were found in a sport utility vehicle stopped Monday on Interstate 80 near North Platte. Trooper say the SUV was initially stopped on suspicion of speeding, but was searched after the trooper became aware of drug activity in the vehicle.

The patrol says the cartridges were in vacuum sealed bags hidden inside a box in the cargo area. The 22-year-old driver from Johnston, Iowa, was arrested on suspicion of possession of THC with intent to deliver and having no drug stamp.

Audubon County Attorney Sarah A. Jennings reports Zackary Scott was sentenced Monday to 15 years in prison, for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine (a Class C Felony), and Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver Marijuana (a Class D Felony), after having his probation revoked for another drug violation. He received a ten-year sentence on the Class C and a five-year sentence on the Class D, with the two running consecutive to each other for a total prison term not to exceed 15 years.

Zackary Scott

Scott was caught running meth and marijuana in Audubon County in August of 2018. Because he had a drug addiction of his own and only a moderate criminal history, the county attorney allowed him to be placed on probation so he could seek help for his problem. In a quid pro quo, a 15-year suspended prison sentence was hung over his head, to be imposed if he did not comply with the terms of his probation. He pleaded guilty and was placed on probation on November 14, 2018.

Just one day later, Zackary Scott was arrested for possession of marijuana in another county. Because the county attorney believed Scott had abused the generous deal he had received, the State joined with the Department of Probation in recommending that his probation be revoked and his original sentence imposed. Scott had already been given suspended prison sentences in 2015 on two other felony convictions in other counties, so this violation was his “third strike.” Judge Craig Dreismeier revoked Mr. Scott’s probation and imposed the original prison sentence yesterday in court with mittimus to issue immediately. The judge’s order also states that the defendant is to receive drug treatment while incarcerated.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa social worker has been charged with perjury for giving false testimony during a court proceeding in which a judge removed four children from their parents.
Criminal complaints released Tuesday allege that former Department of Human Services case manager Chelsie Gray lied repeatedly during a 2017 hearing in which she recommended a judge terminate the parental rights of a mother and father.

Chelsie Gray

A judge relied on Gray’s testimony in ordering the children be placed in foster care. An assistant Cerro Gordo County attorney later discovered discrepancies in Gray’s testimony and reported them. Judge Adam Sauer found in a ruling last June that Gray’s testimony was riddled with “lies and misrepresentations” and ordered the children not be placed in foster care.

Gray resigned from DHS last September. But the state opened a criminal investigation only after The Associated Press reported on Sauer’s opinion in October. Gray, 30, was arrested Monday and released from jail after posting bond. She’s charged with three felony counts of perjury.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A zoo in Des Moines has announced another birth for a pair of endangered rhinos. Blank Park Zoo says its 9-year-old female eastern black rhino, Ayana, gave birth Friday to a 112-pound (50.8-kilogram) female calf. Ayana and her mate, Kiano, produced their first calf in 2016, Tumani. The African species is considered critically endangered, primarily because of poaching.

The newborn isn’t on display while still bonding with her mother. Zoo spokesman Ryan Bickel says people can check on her through the zoo’s social media and live webcams. The zoo will name her through a fundraising contest: $50 per name or three suggestions for $100. The zoo says the names should be in an African language. A public vote will be held on the finalists.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Authorities have arrested another suspect in the slaying of a young woman found lying in a West Des Moines road. Dallas County court records say 20-year-old Johndarius Lewis and 17-year-old Eliazar Montoya Gama weres charged with robbery and first-degree murder. Lewis was said to be an accomplice to the crime. KCCI says court documents indicated Gama picked up 18-year old Sakira Bonner in his vehicle from the Holiday Inn at 6075 Mills Civic Parkway, because she wanted to buy marijuana. Once inside the vehicle, Bonner was beaten, robbed and then shot numerous times.

Police found the woman in the road late Friday night in an area west of Interstate 35. She was pronounced dead later at a hospital. Authorities say Bonner was from Chicago, but attended high school in Des Moines.

The CAM School Board, Monday evening, adopted their Budget Guarantee Resolution and approved the 2019-2020 Certified Budget, following a Public Hearing. Superintendent Casey Berlau said they certified their budget at $10 per thousand dollars valuation. He said also, the Board approved the continuation of sharing agreements with the Griswold and Nodaway Valley School District. It was the fifth year of sharing positions with Nodaway Valley.The Board also approved the purchase of two vehicles for the District. They decided to purchase two Chevy Suburbans from Deter Motor Company in Atlantic, to replace one vehicle that was wrecked, the other with high mileage and ongoing issues.

Berlau said the CAM School Board approved several resignations.

Contracts were also approved.

And, the 2019 graduating seniors list at the CAM High School and Connections Academy was approved during Monday’s Board meeting.