Former Nebraska news anchor sentenced to jail for threats

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A former central Nebraska TV news anchor will spend several weeks behind bars.

Joseph Scanlan, 27, was sentenced Thursday for sending threatening text messages to a woman.

Buffalo County Judge Gerald Jorgensen Jr. sentenced him to three consecutive 90-day jail terms.

But Scanlan will only serve 60 days, with credit for two days served, initially.

Then he will be on probation until Feb. 1, when his jail time is scheduled to resume.

But the judge may suspend the rest of the jail sentence, according to court documents.

SEE ALSO: Former anchor at central Nebraska TV station accused of threatening woman

Scanlan will also spend two years on probation.

He is required to undergo counseling and take anger management and self-control classes, court records say.

Scanlan was a morning anchor at KSNB in Hastings.

On Dec. 1, a woman filed for a protection order against Scanlan.

She said he had been harassing her since September through texts, social media and handwritten notes.

He even used a KSNB account to message her, according to the protection order request.

The woman said he was fired because of that.

A judge granted the protection order, but Scanlan violated it, launching the criminal case against him.

He pleaded guilty to reduced charges in March.