STANTON, Neb. -- A northeast Nebraska man will spend years behind bars for threatening two people with a gun.

According to the Stanton County Sheriff's Office, 31-year-ole Derek Pederson, of Laurel, was sentenced in Stanton County Court to 4-to-8 years in prison for possession of a dangerous weapon by a prohibited person.

Authorities say Pederson was arrested last year after an armed confrontation at a downtown Stanton apartment.

The sheriff's office says Pederson and 28-year-old Cody Murphree, of Pilger, broke into the apartment and threatened to shoot the two residents.

Murphree had just escaped from the Thurston County Jail two days before the incident.

Murphree is currently serving a sentence in prison.