Early Morning Disturbance Leads To Arrest

(GERING, Neb.) — A 21-year-old local man faces felony and misdemeanor charges following an early-morning disturbance in August.

According to police affidavits, officers responded to the 500 block of East 16th Street around 3:22 a.m. Aug. 20 after receiving reports of a man lying in the roadway and yelling. Upon arrival, officers contacted Gabriel Ciquero Afraid of Bear, who was sitting in the road and refused multiple requests to get up or accept a ride home.

When officers informed Afraid of Bear he was under arrest for disorderly conduct, he actively resisted by tensing his arms, curling into his body and attempting to bite an officer’s arm. Officers deployed a Taser to gain compliance and place him in handcuffs. He was evaluated at Regional West Medical Center following the Taser deployment and for alcohol intoxication before being booked into the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center.

Charges:

• Attempt of a Class 3 or 3A felony (attempted assault on an officer) — Class 4 felony
• Resisting arrest, first offense — Class 1 misdemeanor
• Disturbing the peace — Class 3 misdemeanor

During an arraignment Friday in Scottsbluff County District Court, Judge Andrea Miller presiding, Afraid of Bear waived the waiting period and pleaded not guilty to all counts. Prosecutor Steven Lyman appeared for the state, and attorney Brent Hansen was appointed to represent Afraid of Bear.

During a prior hearing, Miller reduced Afraid of Bear’s bond from $30,000 to $15,000, with a 10% deposit allowed. The bond reduction was continued Friday.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for December 9, 2026, at 1 p.m., with a jury trial term scheduled to begin January 4, 2027.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until found guilty in a court of law.