Possession Charges Dropped

By Raul Fernandez

Prime Says He Didn’t Do That Crime

(SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.)– Just past dusk on January 11, 2025, Robert Lee Prime, III had just gotten off work and was excited to enjoy his Saturday with his fiancee. He heads towards a get together located at the Rebecca Winters. Riding in his recently purchased vehicle from Team Chevrolet, he arrives and everything is going well. That’s when Quinton Barry and Andrew Lopez asked for a ride to the local gas station across from the sugar factory.

While traveling east bound in front of the sugar factory, Officer Sheldon activated his emergency lights and initiated a stop for tail light violation. Mr. Prime pulled into the gas station and immediately stepped out to talk with the officer. Once the officer stepped out, the odor of MJ was obvious. Prime admitted and relinquished the leafy substance as well as a black Harley Davidson pipe.

Sheldon then searched the vehicle. The two other passengers in the front passenger seat and rear seat, remained during the initial search. It was only after officers found a glass jar containing a white substance that the remaining passengers were asked to exit the vehicle.

Now during both Mr. Prime’s testimony and Officer Sheldon’s, it was recorded that no other person was asked about the white residue besides Prime. When asked if he knew what was inside the jar, Prime stated “that’s probably some shit”. Prime was cited for possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana.

On September 3, 2025, Prime and his defense attorney, Miss Newell, appeared in court ready to fight the possession of (Meth). It was a short jury trial with just one witness, the arresting officer, and the defendant who took the stand. While recalling his experience on the night of the offense, the prosecutor, Steven Lyman, handed the officer the same glass jar that contained white residue. Officer Sheldon confirmed it was the same glass jar that had been sent to the NSP crime lab for testing.

Upon cross examination, Newell asked if they tested for fingerprints, did they test for DNA, did he or any other officer question the passengers about the glass jar. All to which was a NO. The officer also stated during cross examination that when he found the glass jar, he had been searching from the front passenger side which was still occupied.

Mr. Prime (55) also took the stand. He stated that he has worked at the beanery for eight years and loved his job operating a forklift from 6:30 a.m. 6:30 p.m. During the cross examination, Prosecutor Lyman asked how he’d know the substance to be meth (shit as he called it). He disclosed that fifteen years prior he had dealt and used meth, but he had been sober for ten years.

During closing arguments, Lyman said “As we told y’all in the beginning, this will be a simple straight forward case.” The prosecutor relied on Mr. Prime’s past stating “Yes there’s recovery and there’s relapse also.” In Newell’s closing arguments, she asked “Why didn’t they test the glass jar with meth residue for finger prints or even DNA?” She pointed out that the location (middle console) in which the glass jar was found didn’t mean her client knowingly or intentionally possessed the meth because it was possible the substance belonged to the passengers. Before the Jury was sent to deliberate a verdict the prosecutor noted to the courts that “there is a drug problem in the community” what was more important testing for drugs or testing for fingerprints.

The jury was made of 6 males and 6 females. It took less than 30 minutes for the jury to come back with a “Not Guilty” verdict. 

Mr. Prime was visually happy with this decision from the Jury. He thanked and praised his attorney all the way out of the courthouse. When asked for a comment “Glad things went our way, the Jury always finds the right verdict“. Although he was found Not Guilty of possession of Meth, he did plead guilty to possession of MJ, prior to the trial starting. His sentence for the MJ was $300 plus cort cost for a total of roughly $430, he is to pay $50 every two weeks.