Nebraska

Eastern Nebraska coach charged after teen alleges grooming behavior, records show

Published

1 year ago

February 13, 2025

Eastern Nebraska coach charged after teen alleges grooming behavior, records show

DAVID CITY, Neb. (KOLN) — A David City coach has been charged with child enticement after a 16-year-old girl spoke up about hundreds of inappropriate texts she received.

On Monday, prosecutors charged 37-year-old Jeremy Andel with one count of child enticement and one count of third-degree sexual abuse by a school employee. It’s unclear if Andel is in custody after an arrest warrant was signed on Tuesday.

A family contacted police in David City on May 14, 2024. A 16-year-old girl told officers that her family friend and wrestling coach, Andel, had been sending her a slew of inappropriate text messages in the months prior, according to an arrest affidavit.

The texts had been coming in since September of 2023, back when the girl was 15 years old. Officers later learned that more than 1,700 texts were exchanged between the coach and the teen.

The teen told police that text messages made her feel uncomfortable, but she struggled to report them because she worried it could cause problems between Andel and her family.

Over the course of the year, police gathered more and more of the text messages and discovered a pattern of apparently grooming behavior on Andel’s behalf, court records show. The affidavit quotes multiple inappropriate conversations between the teen and her coach.

Andel would tell the girl, “you better be deleting these,” and “I should be in jail for this,” after some conversations, the affidavit shows. At least two conversations show the coach encouraging the teen not to speak to him while he’s drinking. In one, the coach told her she should avoid him while he’s drinking, saying, “We all know what happens,” according to court records.

Police said several other texts discuss Andel’s wishes to be younger and his excitement for when the girl would eventually turn 18.

10/11 News reached out to the superintendent for David City Public Schools for comment on the situation but did not receive an immediate reply. The school’s staffing record does not list Andel as an employee, however.

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Nebraska

Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood faces frustrated constituents at second town hall of year

Published

5 hours ago

July 8, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood faces frustrated constituents at second town hall of year

Bellevue, Neb — Some Nebraskans arrived early with signs outside U.S. Rep. Mike Flood’s second town hall of the year, hoping to press the congressman on issues ranging from food assistance to the conflict in the Middle East.

Rhonda Mays said she brought a sign to show Flood what some constituents think and to encourage others heading inside to speak up. “People walking by that plan on going in there need a reminder to speak out, to ask the right question, and don’t just go to listen but to actually challenge the representative,” Mays said.

Flood said Nebraskans are able to treat each other with respect while also having tough conversations.

During the hourlong event, attendees asked about a range of topics, including multiple questions about SNAP benefits. Some Nebraskans said there is a large population facing food insecurity. Flood responded, “I understand your concerns with SNAP I work often with the foodbanks and with Nebraskans that need assistance. I appreciate the question and I will double back with some of my sources when I get a chance this week, but I have not heard anything about that from any of my sources.”

The crowd became particularly rowdy during discussion of the conflict in the Middle East. Flood said, “We have no greater ally in the middle east than Israel. We have no greater ally than Israel.”

Asked about the outcry after the town hall, Flood reiterated his position, saying, “Isreal was attacked by Hamas; a terrorist organization and horrific things were done to Israelis. At the same time Hezbollah working to do the same on the northern border and then you have the Houthis. Israel has the right to defend itself and we would as well if we were put in that situation.”

Flood holds three town halls a year. It was not known where his third town hall will be.

The town hall was held in Bellevue.

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Nebraska

Judge sentences Northeast Nebraska man for sexual assault of a minor, faces possible deportation

Published

16 hours ago

July 7, 2026

Press Room

Judge sentences Northeast Nebraska man for sexual assault of a minor, faces possible deportation

WOODLAND PARK, Neb. (KTIV) – A Northeast Nebraska man was sentenced to prison after being convicted in May.

Authorities say 51-year-old Henry Pena-Urrutia of Norfolk was sentenced to six years in prison. The Stanton County Sheriff’s Office says Pena-Urrutia was also given 18 months of post-release supervision and will have to register as a sex offender after his time in prison.

Mugshot: Henry Pena-Urrutia(Stanton County Sheriff’s Office)

In May, Pena-Urrutia pleaded guilty and was convicted of one count of sexual assault involving a minor. Deputies say the man also faces sex offense charges in both Kearney and Buffalo County after the sheriff’s investigation.

Stanton County deputies say Pena-Urrutia also faces possible deportation from the United States as he is here on a green card from El Salvador.

Pena-Urrutia was arrested in December 2025 after an investigation by the Stanton County Sheriff’s Office. As previously reported, the sheriff’s office was contacted by the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office about a possible sexual assault suspect who lived in Stanton County.

An investigation led the sheriff’s office to determine that a minor, younger than 11, was sexually assaulted at a Woodland Park residence.

Law enforcement was led to Pena-Urrutia after an interview with the minor. During an interview with Pena-Urrutia, he reportedly admitted to improper sexual contact with the minor on several occasions.

The two children in his Norfolk home were removed by deputies and placed in the custody of DHHS.

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