WNCC Standoff Case Heads to Trial

(GERING, Neb.) — A 29-year-old local man who led police on an hours-long standoff on the roof of Western Nebraska Community College entered not guilty pleas during a court appearance Friday.

Juan De La Cruz waived the waiting period and was formally arraigned in Scotts Bluff County District Court. Represented by defense attorney Brent Hansen, De La Cruz pleaded not guilty to all charges.

WNCC Crisis Averted

The charges stem from a July 21 incident on the WNCC campus in which police cornered De La Cruz between buildings before he accessed the roof of an HVAC-connected structure. He allegedly repeatedly threatened officers and claimed to have firearms. Officers eventually took him into custody after he ingested various pills and became incapacitated.

De La Cruz faces the following charges:

• Two counts of terroristic threats — Class IIIA felony
• Second-degree criminal trespass — Class II misdemeanor

During Friday’s hearing, Judge Andrea Miller signed a pretrial order giving both sides four weeks to file pretrial motions. Prosecutor Paul Payne appeared on behalf of the state.

Judge Miller maintained De La Cruz’s bond, which was previously reduced August 31 to $15,000 with a 10% deposit allowed.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for December 9, 2026, with a jury trial scheduled for January 4, 2027.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.