Sexual Assault Charge Dropped

(GERING, Neb.) — A Gering man faces upcoming sentencing in Scotts Bluff County District Court following a February domestic incident after entering no-contest pleas to domestic assault and strangulation charges as part of a plea agreement.

Adric D. Blanco entered no-contest pleas to third-degree domestic assault (a Class 3A felony) and assault by strangulation or suffocation (a Class 3A felony). Under the terms of the plea agreement reached between defense counsel Michael Meister and the State, charges of first-degree false imprisonment and first-degree sexual assault were dropped and dismissed.

The charges stem from a late-night incident on February 20, 2026, at a residence on North Street in Gering. According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Gering Police, officers responded to a report of a domestic assault and made contact with a female victim who had visible injuries, including a bloody nose, swollen lip, and a black eye.

The victim told officers that Blanco arrived home intoxicated around 11:00 p.m. and an argument ensued. When she attempted to get away from him, Blanco followed her, pinned her down, struck her across the face, and punched the back of her head. The affidavit notes Blanco strangled the woman to the point where she nearly lost consciousness.

The victim reported being held against her will inside the apartment for approximately an hour before fleeing the residence wearing only slippers in one degree fahrenheit weather when Blanco stepped away to use the restroom.

Officers located Blanco driving nearby shortly after arriving on scene. During a police interview, Blanco denied hitting the woman, though he made statements regarding physical interactions between them and claimed she did not try to leave until he went to the restroom. Officers noted that the victim fleeing barefoot into sub-zero conditions supported her report of a hasty escape.

Following his pleas, the court found Blanco guilty on the two remaining felony counts. Sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. in Scotts Bluff County District Courtroom 1.