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.

February 6, 2023Updated: February 6, 2023
News Channel NebraskaBy 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.

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