At their meeting on Tuesday, the Box Butte County Commissioners voted to appoint an interim public defender to take over the reins for former Box Butte County Public Defender Jon Worthman, who is currently facing criminal charges for possession of cocaine.
Darin Knepper, who works with the Scotts Bluff County Public Defender’s Office, was tapped to serve as the interim public defender until July 31, when Worthman is expected to formally resign. Knepper will receive Worthman’s salary, at the rate of $4,234.83 per month, totaling $50,818 yearly. He will also be eligible for county employee benefits.
Worthman has been on leave without pay since the commissioners took action on Jan. 21. However, according to Commissioner Mike McGinnis in an interview, Worthman was allowed to delay his resignation to allow him to maintain his health insurance benefits from the county.
Knepper will start his duties on Feb. 29.