Courtesy Photo­Image Dustin Dowhower, when arrested for criminal mischief in June 2011.

Courtesy Photo­Image Alejandro Mares

Dustin Dowhower told Lincoln Count Judge Michael Piccolo Thursday that he has arranged to undergo inpatient drug and alcohol treatment at Valley Hope in O’Neill.

You've got a facebook Request! CLICK HERE!

Dowhower, 21, was charged Tuesday with possession of methamphetamine and unspecified items used to sell meth. He also had prescription pills but no prescription, police said.

Dowhower’s attorney Patrick Hays, asked the prosecution to wait until Dowhower completes the treatment. Piccolo agreed but stipulated that if Dowhower doesn’t complete the treatment program satisfactorily he will go back to jail.

Piccolo refused to lower the bond, which remains at $100,000.

In court, Dowhower’s mother offered to transport him to treatment but Lincoln County Deputy Attorney Jennifer Wellan objected, asking that the Sheriff’s office transport Dowhower. Judge Piccolo agreed with Wellan.

BB gun bandit pleas to lesser charge

Alejandro Mares, 37, was sentenced Thursday to the days he had already been locked up after he threatened to shoot a man with a BB handgun.

Mares was initially charged with making terroristic threats and obstructing a police officer July 8 at the Welcome Inn on Rodeo Road.

Witnesses told deputies that Mares had shown them a gun and made the threat to shoot one of them. Mares refused to show investigators the gun, earning him an obstruction charge. When deputies found the gun, it was a black semi-automatic BB gun that is an exact replica of a real handgun.

Speaking through an interpreter, Mares pled guilty to a reduced charge of third degree assault. He was sentenced to 11 days, the time he’d already served, and released.