Fentanyl in Fort Calhoun – Washington County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Report for January 27, 2025

From a chimney fire to a wedding planning visit at the fairgrounds, and from DUI arrests to cows on the loose, this week’s Washington County Sheriff’s report is packed with a mix of the unusual, the serious, and the downright quirky. Here’s a closer look at the daily efforts of deputies and first responders as they kept the community safe and sound from January 24 to January 27, 2025.

Friday, January 24, 2025

Friday started with early morning business checks in Arlington and Fort Calhoun, where deputies ensured 29 local establishments were secure. At 3:07 AM, a traffic stop on Highway 30 resulted in the arrest of Noelia Juarez Perez for driving under revocation. The morning commute was briefly disrupted by a two-vehicle property damage accident at Highway 133 and County Road 32.

Later in the day, a report of possible trespassing on Dam Road turned out to be a misunderstanding, as the fisherman in question had a tag but didn’t have it on him. In the evening, deputies assisted a couple scouting the county fairgrounds for their upcoming outdoor wedding. The day wrapped up with the Fort Calhoun Fire Department handling a chimney fire on North Ridge Road and deputies mediating a disturbance in Arlington.

Saturday, January 25, 2025

The early hours of Saturday included another round of business checks, ensuring 30 establishments were safe and secure. At 6:24 AM, deputies found an intoxicated woman sleeping in a yard in Fort Calhoun. Her husband arrived to take her home, resolving the situation peacefully.

A traffic stop later that morning led to the arrest of Tommie Moore Jr. for driving under suspension. Deputies also responded to a call about cows wandering on Union Pacific property, though the animals were gone by the time they arrived. The day’s most serious event occurred in the evening when an ATV rolled near County Roads P9 and 4, causing injuries that required hospital treatment.

Sunday, January 26, 2025

Sunday began with a 2:56 AM traffic stop on Highway 30 that resulted in the arrest of Jennifer Stankey for DUI and refusal to submit to testing. A few hours later, Fort Calhoun Volunteer Fire Department responded to a rescue call, and deputies arrested Nicholas Schwindt in Blair for driving under suspension.

The most significant arrest of the day came in Fort Calhoun, where Michael Athearn was taken into custody during a traffic stop. He faced charges for possession of fentanyl, false reporting, driving under suspension, and an outstanding Douglas County warrant. Deputies also dealt with illegal dumping on County Road 36, where the suspect agreed to clean up the mess they’d left earlier.

Monday, January 27, 2025

The final day of the reporting period saw deputies performing business checks in Arlington and Fort Calhoun. A traffic stop on Highway 75 resulted in the arrest of Tamaka Bland on a warrant from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Later, deputies responded to the Children’s ER, where a child had been bitten by a dog, leaving two small puncture wounds near the left eye. A follow-up with the family was scheduled for the day shift to ensure the situation was fully addressed.

Arrests

• January 24: Noelia Juarez Perez (Driving Under Revocation)
• January 25: Tommie Moore Jr. (Driving Under Suspension)
• January 26:
  • Jennifer Stankey (DUI and Refusal)
  • Nicholas Schwindt (Driving Under Suspension)
  • Michael Athearn (Fentanyl Possession, False Reporting, Driving Under Suspension, Warrant)
• January 27: Tamaka Bland (Warrant Arrest)

Notable Incidents

• January 24: Chimney fire handled by Fort Calhoun Fire Department.
• January 25: ATV accident near County Roads P9 and 4 resulting in injuries.
• January 26: Significant fentanyl-related arrest in Fort Calhoun.