False Reporting and Obstructing a Police Officer

DATE & TlME: 02-22-2017 I 1400

LOCATION: South 94th Road I East Sargent Road, Filley, Nebraska

OFFENSE: False Reporting and Obstructing a Peace Officer

CASE#: 2017-0994

On Wednesday, 02-22-2017, the Gage County Sheriff's Office was at a rural residence near South 94th Road and East Sargent Road, northwest of Filley, Nebraska attempting to locate a juvenile female who had been reported as being a missing/runaway juvenile to the Beatrice Police Department on 02-21-2017.

When deputies and an investigator arrived at the scene, movement was observed at a large camper trailer located north of the residence at that location. The deputies identified themselves and eventually 24-year-old Justin D. Kelch of Beatrice, Nebraska came out from the trailer. The deputies informed him they were there to locate a runaway juvenile, who was known to associate with Kelch and was known to be, or have been, in a dating relationship with him.

Kelch told the deputies the juvenile was not at that location. He then told the deputies the land owner had instructed him to not let the deputies into the trailer. The land owner was contacted by the sheriff's office, he came to the scene and he entered the trailer and located the missing juvenile hiding between the bed and the wall of the trailer.

The juvenile, who had also absconded from juvenile probation by cutting off her ankle bracelet the day before, was taken into custody by one of the deputies. She was later turned over to the Beatrice Police Department.

Kelch was advised he was under arrest by one of the deputies but he ran off to the east and disappeared into a wooded area. Deputies searched the area, but were unable to locate Kelch. 

An investigator from the Sheriff’s Office was able to contact people who knew Kelch and he came to the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and surrendered. He was booked into the Gage County Detention Center on charges of False Reporting and Obstructing a Peace Officer.

Sheriff Millard "Gus" Gustafson #903

Deputy R. Sandersfeld #9032

Deputy J. Baldassano #90313

Investigator T. Hanson #90310