Terrifying Phone Calls

(GERING, Neb.) — Aaron J. Wilder Jr., 23, of Mitchell, was sentenced to 90 days in the Scotts Bluff County Jail Oct. 1, 2026, following a plea agreement stemming from a February incident in which he allegedly threatened two people by phone.

Wilder was originally arrested late Feb. 6 after Scottsbluff police officers responded to a report that two victims said Wilder had threatened to kill them during a phone call.

Following his arrest, Wilder posted a $2,700 appearance bond, representing 10% of a $27,000 bond, on March 27. He subsequently entered into a formal plea agreement in Scotts Bluff County District Court case CR 26-145.

Under the agreement, two Class IIIA felony counts of terroristic threats were amended to two Class 1 misdemeanor counts of assault by threatening in a menacing manner.

Wilder failed to appear for a scheduled sentencing hearing Sept. 17. District Judge Leo Dobrovolny issued a bench warrant for his arrest Sept. 18, which was served Sept. 23 in Scottsbluff.

During a rescheduled sentencing hearing Oct. 1, Dobrovolny sentenced Wilder to 90 days in the Scotts Bluff County Jail on each count, with the sentences to be served concurrently.

Wilder was given 10 days of credit for time served and ordered to pay $150 in court costs from his bond proceeds. He was remanded directly to the custody of the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff.