Traffic Stop With a Spirited Twist

(GERING, Neb.) — Two Scottsbluff men made initial court appearances Monday following an Oct. 3 traffic stop near Gering that led to the discovery of suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and open alcohol containers.

Jesse A. Watson, 29, and Abraham J. Lane, 28, appeared in custody before Scotts Bluff County Court Judge Kristen D. Mickey on Oct. 5, 2026.

Watson faces charges of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), a Class IV felony; driving under suspension, a Class III misdemeanor; possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction; and speeding 16-20 mph over the limit, an infraction.

Lane is charged with possession of a controlled substance, a Class IV felony; possession or use of drug paraphernalia, an infraction; and possession or consumption of an open alcohol container, an infraction.

Judge Mickey advised both men of their rights, conducted indigency inquiries and appointed public defenders to represent them. Watson’s bond was set at $11,500, with 10% allowable.

The charges stem from a morning traffic stop conducted by Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Bliss.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, Bliss stopped a black 2026 Chevrolet Trax driven by Watson, with Lane as a passenger, at approximately 10:15 a.m. near Highway 92 and County Road 16. Watson was initially cited for speeding and driving with a suspended license.

During the stop, deputies searched Lane and reportedly found a glass pipe commonly used to smoke methamphetamine concealed in his sock, along with a small zip-close bag containing suspected methamphetamine residue.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed an open bottle of whiskey and a plastic water pipe, or bong, on the floorboard in front of Lane’s seat. Deputies also found an additional glass pipe inside the driver’s side door panel, within Watson’s reach.

Both men were arrested at 10:40 a.m. and transported to the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center.

Preliminary hearings for Watson and Lane are scheduled for 9:45 a.m. Oct. 14, 2026, in Courtroom 2 of Scotts Bluff County Court.

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Thursday Oct 8 2026 - Scanner News - Panhandle Scanner News

Have you heard about the Leaf Legacy Project from Terrytown, Nebraska? The city is preparing to begin work on the Leaf Legacy Project, funded through the Urban and Community Forestry Grant by Plant Nebraska and the USDA Forest Service. The first phase of the project will focus on Terry's Lake. The city will be seeking bids for tree pruning, tree removal and stump grinding, and tree planting. Contractors may submit bids for one or more of these activities. Mandatory pre-bid tour will be held at 10 a.m. on October 9th. Contractors must attend the tour to be eligible to submit a bid. The group will meet at the southeast entrance of Terry's Lake off Martha Road. In a recent court case reported on by our courthouse reporter Raul Fernandez, a Terrytown man pled guilty Monday to three misdemeanor charges stemming from a September incident involving the alleged violation of a domestic abuse protection order. Nicholas Salazar, 24, of Scotts Bluff appeared by video on the 5th before District Judge Leo Dobrovolny. A fourth count of public indecency, indecent exposure, a Class 2 misdemeanor, was dismissed. According to an affidavit of probable cause, officers responded to the residence around 11.03 p.m. after receiving a call from a protected party. The reporting party told law enforcement that Salazar had repeatedly called her phone despite an active protection order. She also reported that Salazar later arrived at the residence, knocked on the door, and urinated on the front door, doorstep, and inside the residence. Police reviewed security camera footage and Salazar was arrested without further incident. Find that story on our news page. That's going to do it for today's scanner news.