Habitual Offender Behind Bars

By Raul Fernandez

(GERING, Neb.)– In February of 2025, law enforcement officers were dispatched to a disturbance at Lacy Park outside Scottsbluff. The reporting party had said that her boyfriend had stolen her black Honda Accord.

While responding to the call, a vehicle matching the description was observed heading W bound on Hwy 26 near Co Rd 20. When the patrol car got behind the suspected vehicle it accelerated and turned North bound on County road 19 at a high rate of speed reaching 70 mph in a 50 mph zone.

While attempting to turn onto Co Rd G, the driver failed and ran off the road causing a crash that deployed the airbags. The male suspect took off on foot northeast towards the canal while disobeying orders from PD. Eventually the male suspect made it over the canal running across an open pasture.

Officers drove their vehicle onto the pasture. When they got close enough one officer exited his vehicle with his gun drawn. Giving up on running, the suspect took a fighting stance with one hand close to his waist suggestion he might have a weapon, while disobeying lawful commands to put his hands up. The officer quickly swapped to his taser and deployed it causing the suspect to fall to the ground. Officers quickly arrested the suspect without further incident.

Pursuit, Taser, and Fire on Loseke Rd

During the investigation at the scene of the crash, a black Nike brand fanny pack was found outside the driver’s door, containing several zip-lock style baggies containing clear crystal substance (later identified as methamphetamine) and small bags of marijuana, as well as paraphernalia, including a “Snorter” containing fine white powder believed to be cocaine. The suspect was then identified as Pedro Morales (28) and transported to the detention center.

On September 26,2025, Pedro was sentenced to 18 months jail after he was offered a generous plea deal. Originally he was charged with 10 charges:

• Theft of motor vehicle
• Flight to avoid arrest
• Willfully reckless driving
• Obstructing a peace officer
• Possession with intent to deliver
• Possession of controlled substance (Meth)
• Possession of controlled substance (cocaine)
• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of paraphernalia
• Driving under suspension

He was only charged for operation of a vehicle to avoid arrest, possession of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine.

Before hearing his sentence, Pedro was given a chance for comment. He told the judge he was in need of treatment for substance abuse and mental health. He went on to say that if granted probation, those would be his main goals to obtain and participate in anything to help him remain in his newborns life.

Judge Miller took into consideration the defendant’s criminal past and both a Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) and Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) reports.

Both evaluations suggested the defendant had problems with “folks of authority” stated the judge. Because of those finding she denied him probation, stating that the services he needed would be provided during his incarceration and after release he would be responsible for continuing his counseling.

LS/CMI stands for the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory, a comprehensive risk/needs assessment tool used in the justice system to evaluate offenders and inform treatment planning and case management.

The Self-Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ) is a self-report instrument used in correctional and forensic settings to predict recidivism (reoffending) and to assess treatment needs.