AUBURN – A district judge added fines to a Humboldt couple, who are on probation for their roles in damage to pivot irrigation equipment in Pawnee and Nemaha counties.

Judge Julie Smith said 41-year-old Rickey Long and 38-year-old Kimberly Hoagland have turned their lives around since a 2022 investigation into stolen copper wire from irrigation equipment. She noted they had paid restitution and are doing well on probation handed down in Pawnee County.

Smith: “If you were not on probation in another county, you would likely receive probation here. I just don’t know that double up does any good.”

She fined Long $500 and Hoagland $250 on each count.

Nemaha County Attorney Angelo Ligouri said Hoagland has maintained employment, but does not earn as much as Long and has two dependents.

Ligouri: “I think fines are fine, but I’d rather see her money to go her kids than coming here.”

Judge Smith said Hoagland’s fine is less because Long has an unsatisfactory probation term on his record and she does not.

The couple were arrested, along with 37-year-old Chase Ramer of Humboldt, based on DNA evidence taken from cigarette butts near a damaged irrigation pivot.

Hoagland and Long paid $3,000 in restitution.

Ramer is scheduled for sentencing in Nemaha County on July 14.