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ORD A North Loup man was convicted of three felonies Tuesday for a September standoff with his wife at an Ord convenience store.
Jared Rice, 26, pleaded no contest in Valley County District Court to first-degree false imprisonment, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony and theft.
He was accused of holding his then-estranged wife, Amy Rice, hostage with a high-powered rifle Sept. 20 at the Pump & Pantry in Ord.
Rice walked into the convenience store with a rifle and ordered everyone out but his wife, who was an employee there, said Valley County Attorney Glenn Clark.
About two hours later, his wife was released and was taken to the Valley County Health System in Ord with minor injuries. Rice was talked into leaving the store about 45 minutes later and was arrested without incident, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.
The two have since divorced.
Rice had pleaded not guilty in November to felony charges of kidnapping, theft and two counts each of terroristic threats and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.
But the charges were reduced as part of an agreement in exchange for Rice's no contest plea.
Rice's attorney, Curtis Sikyta of Ord, told Valley County District Judge Karin Noakes that his client was pleading no contest rather than guilty because of the possibility of civil liability.
The date of Rice's sentencing has not yet been set. In the meantime, Noakes ordered him to spend 90 days in prison while the state Department of Corrections prepares a written report on sentencing. Once that report is submitted, sentencing will be set, Noakes said.
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