Walgreens Break-in

By Raul Fernandez

(SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.) — In the late hours of August 12th, the Scottsbluff Police Department was dispatched to Walgreens for a reported break-in. Based on the affidavit of Officer Levi, the reporting party stated that a man, later identified as Brandon Lee Christen, had walked into the store and started taking pills and was carrying a knife.

When the officers arrived, Christen was sitting on the floor in the refrigerated section smoking a cigarette and had the knife next to him. It was confirmed that Christen was a convicted felon and was prohibited from possessing a deadly weapon. After arresting him, police located a bottle of 100 count sleep aids and an opened half gallon of milk near where Christen was sitting. While confirming the pills missing, approximately 3 staff told police he had not paid for the pills or milk. 

Mr. Christen was then transported to Regional West Medical Center due to possible pill consumption prior to being transported to Scotts Bluff County Detention Center.

After almost a month incarcerated, Brandon Lee Christen appeared via video in Judge Miller’s courtroom on September 8,2025 to plead guilty to the amended charges of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person.

Originally, Christen had 3 charges including disturbing the peace and shoplifting. Now he’ll wait until November 14, 2025, after a pre-sentence review is conducted, for sentencing.

(SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb.)—  Brandon L. Christen has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person, a Class 3 Felony, according to court documents filed in the District Court of Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska. The sentence was signed on November 18, 2025.

Mr. Christen was initially charged with two counts :Theft by Shoplifting, Value $500 or Less (Class 2 Misdemeanor), and Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person (Class 3 Felony).

According to the Plea Agreement, which was filed on September 4, 2025, Mr. Christen, represented by counsel Lauren Newell, agreed to enter a plea of guilty or no contest to an Amended Information. In exchange, the charge of Theft by Shoplifting (Count 1) was dismissed. He pleaded to Count 2: Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person.

For the Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person conviction (Count 2), the court sentenced Mr. Christen to imprisonment under the jurisdiction of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services for a period of not less than 18 months. He was granted a credit of 99 days for time served before sentencing. Additionally, the sentence includes a term of post-release supervision for 18 months and requires Mr. Christen to pay court costs of $138.00.