Throwback Thursday: Cedar County law enforcement in turmoil

July 7, 1999

HARTINGTON — Cedar County Sheriff Loren Trautman admitted this week he made a mistake by allowing a prisoner to “see” his gun in April.

The Nebraska State Patrol investigated Trautman in May after allegations surfaced that he illegally allowed a convicted felon to handle his firearm. 

Trautman was also accussed of offering the felon, Jesse Mendoza, an alcoholic beverage. Mendoza was an inmate at the Cedar County Jail at the time of the incident. 

Cedar County Attorney Andrea Belgau received the State Patrol’s report on the investigation last week. She asked that a special prosecutor be assigned to the case so it could be prosecuted. 

In a Cedar County News interview last week,  Trautman said he regretted the incident had ever happened. 

“Sure, I’ve made some mistakes. That gun thing was a mistake on my part. It shouldn’t have happened,” he said. 

Trautman then went on to apologize for his actions.

”If I have erred in any of my judgement, I apologize to the people of Cedar County,” Trautman said. 

Trautman said the incident occurred with an inmate trustee who had earned the trust of Sheriff’s Department personnel.

”The gun issue has risen out of a Cedar County policy used by the last four sheriffs which allows a prisoner to become a trustee,” Trautman said. “The prisoners who are considered as potential trustees have to be on their best behavior. Being selected as a trustee by the Sheriff or a Deputy allows the prisoner to get out of his cell and work, which includes cleaning, cooking, doing laundry or washing patrol cars.” 

Trautman said since Mendoza had been helping to clean and cook for several weeks, he had earned a special level of trust.

”He had worked hard, was obedient to the rules and did not cause any problems,” he said.

The incident in question happened on one of the evenings when Mendoza was cooking in the joint kitchen shared by the jail and by Trautman who’s living quarters are attached to the jail.

”He was interested in my gun. I showed it to him. It was not loaded,” he said.

On another occasion, Trautman was cleaning his gun while Mendoza was in the kitchen with him. Trautman said he allowed the prisoner to view his gun, however, he did not give the gun to the jail inmate.