Jury returns not guilty verdict for Phelps County Sheriff's Deputy

On Friday, July 31, 2020, a jury in Phelps County found a local sheriff's deputy not guilty of negligent child abuse and third-degree assault, both misdemeanors.

Jamie Tilson, 38, was charged in November of 2019 after being accused of giving a minor child in his home a black eye.

The case was investigated by the Holdrege Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol. Due to the conflict of interest with the Phelp's County Attorney's Office, the case was prosecuted by Patrick Lee of the Buffalo County Attorney's Office.

Tilson was represented by Thomas Stewart out of Kearney.