Banner Officials Face Charges

Two Banner County officials and a Banner County employee have been charged with Class 2 and Class 4 misdemeanors stemming from an incident on Dec. 28, according to court records. The charges include public indecency and drinking on public property or a road.

The individuals involved are County Treasurer Monty Stoddard, 58, County Assessor Bernice Huffman, 46, who were elected to their positions, and employee Caily Reece, 32.

Their first court appearance was March 2 for arraignment, where each pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A pre-trial for Reece was scheduled for April 4, and April 5 is the pre-trial date for Stoddard and Huffman. Each has retained separate legal counsel.

The case is being heard in Banner County Court, where business is conducted at the Scotts Bluff County Courthouse in Gering.