Since Former Public Defender Jon Worthman was arrested for possessing cocaine in January, the Box Butte County Commissioners have been looking for someone to fill the position as fees for court appointed counsel are adding up.
At the board’s most recent meeting, Chairman Mike McGinnis announced that he has been in contact with someone who has show interest in the position of interim public defender.
“I did have a consultation with Mr. Joel Burke from Imperial, and he is interested in coming up and seeing us,” said McGinnis. “He’s interested in the position. He just is being safe and staying healthy, and going to stay away for a week or two. When it would be possible, maybe he could come for a meeting in May if we physically meet, or if we have to use Zoom (a virtual meeting program) again.”
Commissioners Doug Hashman and Susan Lore encouraged McGinnis to maintain contact with Burke. After the meeting, Box Butte County Clerk Judy Messersmith told the Alliance Times-Herald there were a total of four claims for court appointed counsel in March totaling $10,917.83.
Earlier in the year, the commissioners hired Darin Nepper to serve as the interim public defender until July 31, when Worthman is expected to formally resign from his position. Nepper started his job on Feb. 29, and at the March 4 board meeting, Nepper told the commissioners he had accepted another position. The board voted to release Nepper from his contract and to pay him $1,600 for the 16 hours he had worked.
Worthman has been on leave from the position of Box Butte County Public Defender since Jan. 21. Worthman was allowed to delay his resignation to allow him to maintain his health insurance benefits from the county.
Worthman is currently charged with possession of 10-27 grams of cocaine with intent to deliver, a class 1D felony, in Scotts Bluff County. The charge arises from an incident on Jan. 7. According to court records, members of the WING Task Force and the Scottsbluff Police Department arrested Worthman after a controlled purchase, in which he bought one ounce of cocaine.
According to court records, Worthman admitted to, “receiving cocaine in the past in exchange for legal services, as well as purchasing and using the illegal substance himself.”