(GERING, Neb.) — A 25-year-old Scottsbluff man faces multiple felony charges, including assault on first responders and terroristic threats, following an August disturbance that allegedly involved attacks on paramedics, police officers and hospital staff.
Gary D. Collins was arrested the morning of Aug. 26, 2026, after Scottsbluff police officers responded to reports of a man knocking over trash cans and striking a vehicle near the 1000 block of East 11th Street.
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Scottsbluff Police Officer Nathan True, officers located Collins lying in the front yard of a residence on 12th Avenue and displaying signs of severe alcohol intoxication.
When officers attempted to arrest Collins for disturbing the peace, he actively resisted.
After being handcuffed and placed in a patrol vehicle, Collins hit his head against the vehicle roof and lost consciousness. Officers administered Narcan as a precaution, and EMS was called to transport him to the hospital.
While inside the ambulance, Collins allegedly kicked two paramedics and spit on one while claiming to be HIV-positive and threatening to kill them.
At the hospital, Collins continued to resist staff and kicked a police officer during a transfer to a wheelchair. Officers placed a spit mask on Collins, but he allegedly maneuvered it off and spit on an officer’s face while continuing to make death threats against officers and their families.
During his final transfer to the jail, Collins allegedly headbutted a corrections officer, causing a visible bump on the officer’s head.
Court filings show Collins is charged in District Court with eight counts:
- Disturbing the peace — Class 3 misdemeanor
- Assault on an officer/health care professional, third degree — Class 3A felony
- Assault on an officer/health care professional, third degree — Class 3A felony
- Terroristic threats — Class 3A felony
- Terroristic threats — Class 3A felony
- Terroristic threats — Class 3A felony
- Assault on an officer/health care professional, third degree — Class 3A felony
- Assault on an officer/health care professional, third degree — Class 3A felony
Defense attorney Cody Adamson filed a plea in abatement Sept. 28, arguing the state presented insufficient evidence at the county court level to establish probable cause for the felony assault and terroristic threat charges.
During court proceedings Oct. 1, District Judge Leo Dobrovolny presided over a hearing in which Collins appeared by video from the detention center. Dobrovolny appointed the Public Defender’s Office to represent Collins at county expense.
A hearing on the plea in abatement is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 2026, in Scotts Bluff County District Courtroom No. 2.
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