By KALIN KROHE
Panhandle Post
On Sept. 14, 24-year-old Jon Mazanec plead guilty in Box Butte County District Court during an arraignment to 2nd Degree Domestic Assault with a prior conviction (Class IIA Felony), 3rd Degree Domestic Assault (Class IIIA Felony) and Possession of a Controlled Substance-LSD (Class 4 Felony).
Mazanec waived his right for court appointed counsel.
According to the Affidavit for Custody, on Aug. 22, Box Butte County Deputy [Tim] Wangler and Chief Deputy [J.D.] Sutphen were dispatched to the 600 Block of Cheyenne Avenue in Hemingford for a verbal disturbance. Upon arriving on scene, Deputies Wangler and Sutphen contacted a female on the porch of the residence that was in pain. Deputy Sutphen asked the female what happened and she stated that gasoline was poured on her and was lit on fire.
The Affidavit said, through further questioning about the incident, it was revealed the she and her boyfriend [Mazanec] were in an argument and he poured gasoline on her and lit it on fire with a torch.
Mazanec then took off on foot.
According to the Affidavit, Deputy Wangler and Sutphen searched the Hemingford area trying to locate Mazanec. At approximately 2:14 p.m. someone matching the description of Mazanec was seen walking up Cheyenne Avenue carrying a torch. Deputy Wangler caught up with the subject at the garage where the initial incident had occurred. Deputy Wangler asked Mazanec what had went on earlier that day and the Mazanec responded that he had a fight with his girlfriend and poured gasoline on her and then lit her on fire.
Deputy Wangler placed Mazanec under arrest and Deputy Sutphen read Miranda Warnings to Mazanec.
Deputy Sutphen asked if Mazanec had anything on his person and Mazanec stated that he had drugs in his pocket. After a pat down search, a plastic baggie was recovered from Mazancc’s shorts pocket with suspected LSD tabs in it.
Sentencing is set for Nov. 23 in Box Butte County District Court by Judge Travis O'Gorman.