NDCS News Releases

NDCS News Releases

TSCI inmate death

May 30, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-41)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

May 30, 2023 (Tecumseh, Neb.) – Michael Bedel #72242, age 72, died yesterday at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI).

Bedel’s sentence began on September 17, 2010. He was serving a 25- to 30-year sentence for first degree and third degree sexual assault out of Platte County.

While the cause of death has not yet been determined, Bedel was being treated for a medical condition. As is the case whenever an inmate dies in the custody of...Read more

Inmate missing from community corrections facility

May 22, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-40)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

May 22, 2023 (Omaha, Neb.) – Authorities have been notified about an inmate missing from the Community Corrections Center – Omaha (CCC-O). Andres Willis #213587 left the facility this morning and removed his electronic monitoring device approximately one mile west of the center.

Willis started his sentence on August 3, 2021. He was sentenced to three to five years for possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person out of Douglas County. He has a...Read more

RTC inmate death

May 21, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-39)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

May 21, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Donald Lichtenberg #213960, age 84, died yesterday at a Lincoln hospital. He was incarcerated at the Reception and Treatment Center (RTC).

Lichtenberg’s sentence began on October 20, 2021. He was serving an 18- to 24-year sentence for attempted first degree sexual assault of a child out of Douglas County.

While the cause of death has not yet been determined, Lichtenberg was being treated for a medical condition. As...Read more

RTC inmate death

May 19, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-38)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

May 19, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Michael Gunther #61937, age 67, died yesterday evening at the Reception and Treatment Center (RTC), where he was incarcerated.

Gunther’s sentence began on April 15, 2005. He was serving a life sentence on charges of first degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony, out of Sarpy County.

While the cause of death has not yet been determined, Gunther was being treated for a medical condition. As is the case...Read more

Two RTC staff members injured in separate assaults

May 18, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-37)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

May 18, 2023 (Lincoln, Neb.) – Two inmates at the Reception and Treatment Center (RTC) assaulted two staff members today, resulting in serious* injuries.

The first assault occurred when an inmate , who was in an unapproved area, refused directives to leave. The inmate punched a staff member in the head, resulting in injuries. Staff members who were nearby moved in quickly to restrain the inmate and remove him.

While staff were securing the area,...Read more

Missing inmate arrested

May 4, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-36)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

May 4, 2023 (Omaha, Neb.) – An inmate who went missing from the Community Corrections Center – Omaha (CCC-O) was taken into custody April 27, 2023. Troy Hollins #83306 was arrested by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and booked into the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Hollins went missing on January 15, 2023, when he removed his electronic monitor near CCC-O. He started his sentence on December 22, 2015. Hollins was...Read more

TSCI inmate death

April 16, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-35)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5721 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

April 16, 2023 (Tecumseh, Neb.) – Phillip Privett #82268, age 74, died Friday, April 14, 2023, at the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution (TSCI).

Privett’s sentence began on May 26, 2015. He was serving a 40 to 60 year sentence for second degree murder and use of a firearm to commit a felony out of Knox County. Privett had a parole eligibility...Read more

Missing inmate arrested

April 14, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (23-34)

CONTACT Dayne Urbanovsky, Director of Strategic Communications

OFFICE 402-479-5799 | dayne.urbanovsky@nebraska.gov

CONTACT Dawn-Renee Smith, Chief of Staff

OFFICE 402-479-5721 | dawnrenee.smith@nebraska.gov

April 14, 2023 (Omaha, Neb.) – An inmate who went missing from the Community Corrections Center – Omaha (CCC-O) has been arrested in Omaha by Douglas County Sheriff deputies working with the Fugitive Task Force. Julian Tapia #211752 was taken into custody today and booked into the Douglas County Correctional Center.

Tapia went missing on February...Read more

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