Nebraska: Already on probation for drug charges, Timothy Tiedeman let his horses starve to death

NEBRASKA -- A Cass County man’s arrest on suspicion of animal cruelty resulted in his being taken into federal custody to begin serving a 60-month sentence for distribution of a controlled substance.

Deputies from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office visited Timothy Tiedeman’s property in rural Murdock, Nebraska, on Jan. 2 and discovered two dead horses in a creek. Two severely malnourished horses were removed from the property by the Nebraska Humane Society.

No food for the horses or water was found on the property, according to an affidavit filed by an investigator. Tiedeman was arrested on two counts of suspicion of animal cruelty. He faces up to a year in prison on each misdemeanor charge.

Tiedeman, 52, pleaded guilty to the drug charge on Nov. 21 in U.S. District Court. He had been granted time to get his affairs in order, said defense attorney Brett McArthur of Lincoln.

Tiedeman's animal cruelty charges mean Tiedeman violated the terms of his probation for his drug crimes. Tiedeman surrendered to federal authorities on Friday.

Earlier Story: Fremont Tribune - Jan 25, 2016

While many people feeling a little worn out resort to ingesting a caffeinated beverage, an Eagle farmer opted to take cocaine and methamphetamine in an attempt to stay awake to get more work done.

Timothy E. Tiedeman, 51, was sentenced to serve not less than 20 months and not more than five years in the Lincoln Correctional Facility after being found guilty of being in possession of a controlled substance — cocaine, a Class IV Felony; Monday morning in Dodge County District Court.

Judge Geoffrey Hall credited Tiedeman with three days served, and under the Nebraska Good Time Law he must serve a minimum of 10 months in prison.

Tiedeman was arrested in late February 2015 after Fremont Police Officers were dispatched a business located in the 3000 block of East 23rd Street. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of numerous illegal substances.

Originally, Tiedeman was charged with possession of a controlled substance — methamphetamine, a Class IV Felony; possession of a controlled substance — cocaine, a Class IV felony; possession of a controlled substance — marijuana, a Class IV Felony; and possession of drug paraphernalia; an infraction.

Tiedeman, who had no criminal history prior to this occasion, was originally going to be given probation, said Dodge County Attorney Oliver Glass, however, after agreeing to serve probation, Tiedeman was arrested in Otoe County and charged with intent to distribute meth, a Class II felony.

“When he got arrested again that eliminated any real shot that he would be placed on probation,” Glass said.

A preliminary hearing for the separate drug charge is scheduled for some time next month, Glass said.

Prior to sentencing, Tiedeman apologized for his poor decisions. He said business-related stress made him feel like he needed to stay awake to get more done, and that stimulant narcotics provided a way for him to achieve that.

He asked to still be given the privilege of probation, noting that his business would go bankrupt with him locked up, and that his girlfriend and 19-month-old child would struggle with him not being around.

Ultimately, though, Judge Hall said that after reading the pre-sentence investigation report he could not overlook the extent of Tiedeman’s drug problem, which ultimately led to the prison sentence.

Tiedeman reports Feb. 5 for the start of his sentence.

(Omaha.com - Jan 11, 2017)