Banner Officials Get Jail Time

Two Banner County officials are spending 10 days in the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center after having been found guilty by Scotts Bluff County Court Judge Kris Mickey of public indecency in an incident that occurred Dec. 28 at the Banner County Courthouse.

Their jail time began on May 20, immediately after their sentencing hearing at the Scottsbluff County Courthouse.

Banner County Treasurer Monty Stoddard, 58, and Assessor Bernice Huffman, 48, were both sentenced to jail time along with a variety of other conditions, including a $500 fine and court costs, 12 months of probation, no possession or consumption of any alcohol, and drug testing.

In addition, their homes, vehicles and selves are subject to search and seizure, they must serve 150 hours of community service, and they face the possibility of 60 days in jail after their probation period following a review by probation officers and the judge.

Within 10 days of the sentencing, both Huffman and Stoddard must write a letter of apology to the residents of Banner County, and the letters will remain posted at the Banner County Courthouse for the duration of their probation.

The third individual involved in the evening activity at the Banner County Courthouse, employee Caily Reece, was found guilty of public indecency but was not sentenced to jail time.

Stoddard, Huffman, and Reece pleaded no contest to public indecency charge.

A show cause hearing for all three individuals is scheduled next year at 1:30 p.m. May 19, 2023.