By Sarah Schulz
sarah.schulz@theindependent.com

Westfall, 29, of Grand Island, was convicted in U.S. District Court of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Hall County between June 1, 2006, and April 2, 2007.

In addition to the prison term, he must serve five years of supervised release following his incarceration and pay a $100 special assessment, according to the U.S. District Court clerk's office.

Westfall remains an inmate at the Hall County Jail as he waits to be sentenced in two local cases.

On Jan. 2, Westfall pleaded no contest in Hall County District Court to attempted first-degree assault on a police officer and third-degree assault on a police officer, which are both felonies, for an April 2, 2007, standoff with law enforcement. He also pleaded guilty to felony possession of meth with the intent to distribute.

In a separate case, Westfall pleaded no contest in Hall County Court to misdemeanor third-degree assault, reduced from felony assault by a confined person.

In exchange for the pleas, charges of failure to appear, operating a vehicle to avoid arrest, trespassing, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer and willful reckless driving will be dismissed following his local sentencing. Three other separate cases involving drugs, theft and burglary will also be dismissed after the sentencing.

His county court sentencing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Feb. 22, and his district court case is scheduled for 10 a.m. Feb. 26.

The April 2007 case was filed after Westfall drove away from a traffic stop, dragging a Nebraska State Patrol trooper. Another trooper was injured when a bullet he fired at Westfall's vehicle ricocheted and struck him in the leg, according to the patrol.

Westfall then drove into two vehicles and a duplex before fleeing into a nearby home, where he remained for about three hours. He was removed by the patrol's SWAT team, according to court documents.

As part of his plea agreement, Westfall's attorney and the prosecutor will recommend to the judge that all the local sentences imposed be served at the same time but be served after the sentence in the federal drug case.