Dodge County Sheriff Weitzel’s employment status unclear after wire fraud guilty plea

The Dodge County Board of Supervisors is set to consider acting on "legal matters regarding personnel" on Wednesday. Sheriff Dustin Weitzel pleaded guilty to wire fraud and agreed to never work in law enforcement again, according to a DOJ announcement. The sheriff has yet to surrender his law enforcement certificate.

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Dodge County board set to consider ’emergency’ personnel matter after sheriff’s wire fraud charge

FREMONT, Neb. —

On Wednesday, the Dodge County Board of Supervisors will consider an “emergency item” regarding “possible action on the discussion of legal matters regarding personnel,” according to an updated version of the board’s agenda.

It’s likely regarding the county’s top law enforcement officer, Sheriff Dustin Weitzel. On Monday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nebraska asseverated Weitzel pleaded guilty to a single wire fraud charge.

Dodge County Board of Supervisors Chairman Bob Missel told KETV on Tuesday the reveal “was news to everyone.”

“I am waiting to hear from our county attorney to get a clear picture on how we move forward from here,” Missel said in a text message.

KETV sought to confirm Weitzel’s status as county sheriff on Tuesday. The Dodge County Sheriff’s Office deferred comment to the county attorney. Dodge County Attorney’s Office representatives also declined comment, except to say that County Attorney Pamela Hopkins was out of the office and more information would come on Wednesday.

The sheriff’s reserved parking spot sat empty Tuesday afternoon.

Weitzel has not responded to KETV’s requests for comment.

According to prosecutors, Weitzel admitted to using his former role as treasurer of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 17 to prevent overdrafts of personal accounts. He’s accused of taking $45,500 between April 2018 and February 2022, returning all but $4,750 before he was “detected.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office also said Weitzel agreed to surrender his law enforcement certification before his sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 1. Mark Stephenson, director of the Nebraska Law Enforcement Training Center, said he has not heard from anyone to begin the decertification process. Shortly after sentencing, Stephenson said the center could initiate the processes itself.

Several Fremont residents have expressed support for the sheriff on social media. A woman outside the sheriff’s office Tuesday yelled at a KETV photographer that Weitzel is a good guy.

Weitzel is the only candidate set to appear on the ballot for Dodge County Sheriff, County Election Commissioner Micki Gilfry told KETV. He has until Aug. 3 to refuse the nomination if he wishes, Gilfry said. If he does, state statute says “the vacancy shall be filled by the majority vote of the proper committee of the same political party,” a Nebraska Secretary of State spokesperson told KETV. In this case, that would be the Republican Party.

The Dodge County Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday in Fremont.

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