DATE & TIME: 08-31-2026/10:01 AM
LOCATION: Midland Township, Nebraska
OFFENSE: Jury Duty Warrant Scam
CASE #: 2026-3718
DETAILS:
A resident of rural Beatrice reported he was contacted by a suspect who feigned being with law enforcement and advised the victim he had a warrant for missing jury duty. The suspect had knowledge of the victim’s social security number as well as vehicle information and other personal identifiers. The suspect said the victim could surrender at the sheriff’s office and be booked into jail on the criminal warrant or handle the matter via civil court channels by, of course, paying a fine. He was instructed to go to CVS Pharmacy in Lincoln, use their “kiosk” and send $9,000.00 bond money to him.
the suspect also told the victim he was under a “gag order” and could not tell anyone about it. The victim, while still on the phone with the charlatan cop. drove to the sheriff’s office to verify whether or not he had a warrant. the suspect had “spoofed” the phone number for the sheriff’s office when making the call, so it appeared as if was coming from the sheriff’s office stayed on the phone, trying to convince him to handle the matter through the civil process. Once at the sheriff’s office in Beatrice, staff at the sheriff’s office confirmed it was a scam. The victim did not lose any money.
The Gage County Sheriff’s Office reminds people to be wary of scams and to independently verify claims. Red flags are demands for secrecy, urgency, or being able to pay, especially not at the courthouse or sheriff’s office, fines to make the situation go away.
If you receive a suspicious contact (Email, Phone Call, Text, Social Media, US Postal Service, In Person, or any other way), do not succumb to demands or threats. Discontinue or break Contact with the suspect and call Southeast Communications (our dispatch) at 402-223-4080 X0 and ask to speak with a deputy or an officer.
Sergeant Tim Hanson #90310
Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903