Battle Creek feedlot owner's appeals fail in court

The State of Nebraska has affirmed all convictions and sentences for Travis Belina after he appealed his case.

In April 2024 a judge sentenced Belina to almost six years behind bars for ten counts of child abuse, sexual assault and solicitation.

A jury convicted him of two counts of child abuse, two counts of third degree sexual assault, three counts of solicitation of a minor and attempted third degree sexual assault.

Belina attempted to appeal the case, arguing insufficient evidence and confusing jury instructions regarding the age of consent, according to court documents.

“Belina generally argues that the evidence was insufficient to sustain certain convictions; the district court erred in instructing the jury and failing to provide a limiting instruction, overruling Belina’s objections to certain evidence, and allowing the State to make improper remarks during closing arguments; and that his trial counsel was ineffective,” court documents said.

All four victims in this case were in high school at the time of the abuse and were employees of Belina.

“In sum, we find that Belina’s claims that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction of the third degree sexual assault of [victim] and his three convictions for solicitation of a minor fail,” court documents said.

The appeals failed and Belina is serving his time in the Omaha Corrections Facility.