Parking Lot Brawl Has Consequences

(GERING, Neb.) — A 37-year-old Scottsbluff woman was sentenced Tuesday to 90 days in jail after pleading no contest to assault and disturbing the peace charges stemming from a July parking lot altercation.

Lovey L. Cosme, 37, of Scottsbluff, entered no contest pleas in Scotts Bluff County Court to misdemeanor counts of assault causing bodily injury, disturbing the peace and driving without an operator’s license.

Judge Mickey sentenced Cosme to 90 days in the Scotts Bluff County Jail, with credit for 22 days already served. She was also ordered to pay $675 in fines and court costs.

The charges stem from a July 21 disturbance in the YMCA parking lot in Scottsbluff. According to a probable cause affidavit, police responded to reports of a vehicle traveling at high speeds through the parking lot before a physical altercation occurred.

Witnesses and others at the scene told officers Cosme exited her vehicle and struck two people in the face with a closed fist before leaving. Responding officers observed visible injuries on both individuals, including redness, swelling and a bleeding laceration.

Officers later located Cosme’s vehicle during a traffic stop and determined her Nebraska driver’s license had expired.

As part of the plea agreement, additional charges, including third-degree domestic assault and willful reckless driving, were dismissed.

The court determined Cosme was unable to pay the ordered fines and costs and directed that they be served out in jail at the statutory rate.