DATE & TIME: 03-31-2026 7:50 PM
LOCATION: Gage County Detention Center, Beatrice, Nebraska
OFFENSE: Criminal Mischief
CASE #: 2026-1371
DETAILS:
On 03-31-2026, at approximately 7:50 PM Michael Fossler, an inmate at the Gage County Detention Center, was in a jail cell in the jail. Fossler picked up a handset that was attached to a communications kiosk and used the handset as a short shillelagh to bludgeon the computer screen in his cell. He violently struck the screen about 26 times with the handset, destroying the screen and rendering the kiosk inoperable.
The damaged kiosk is valued at approximately $1,700.00.
An investigator from the sheriff’s office was dispatched to the scene and interviewed Fossler about the incident. Fossler admitted to breaking the kiosk and stated he was angry because the kiosk was making a sound like a weed eater running out of gas. There was no other reason given for destroying the kiosk, which is used for inmate communication about complaints, visitation, and other communication needs.
Fossler was issued a criminal citation and given a court date of April 14th to coincide with another criminal court appearance he was already scheduled for on that date.
Sergeant Tim Hanson #90310
Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903