California man originally arrested near Pilger sentenced for 2021 meth charge
A California man who was arrested near Pilger and later fled the state before he could be sentenced was back in a northeast Nebraska courtroom on Monday.
By News Channel Nebraska
STANTON, Neb. – A California man who was arrested near Pilger and later fled the state before he could be sentenced was back in a northeast Nebraska courtroom on Monday.
37-year-old Jonathan Blekis was originally arrested in the fall of 2021 by the Stanton County Sheriff’s Office following a traffic stop on Highway 275.
Stanton County Sheriff Mike Unger said Blekis has been driving at high speeds in a semi while under the influence.
Blekis later pleaded guilty but failed to show up for sentencing.
He was then arrested in San Joaquin County, Calif., on a Stanton County felony arrest warrant.
He was returned last month from California, completing extradition.
Blekis was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a methamphetamine possession charge and was also ordered to pay more than $2,800 for the cost of his extradition back to Nebraska. The restitution was paid immediately after his sentencing in Stanton County District Court.