Former Lancaster County sergeant acquitted of all charges in second trial

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A former high-ranking Lancaster County law enforcement officer was found not guilty Friday of three misdemeanor charges.

A jury acquitted former Sgt. Ryan Schmuecker of three counts of neglecting to serve a misdemeanor warrant.

The case began in February 2024.

Schmuecker, who worked for the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, was accused of failing to arrest two people who had warrants for not paying fines.

The sheriff’s office alleged that Schmuecker told them to pay their fines and let them go.

SEE ALSO: Former Lancaster County sergeant pleads not guilty to failing to serve warrants

He was fired on May 10 and criminally charged two weeks later.

Schmuecker went on trial in December, but the jury could not reach a verdict, so Judge Jo Petersen declared a mistrial.

His second trial began Thursday.

SEE ALSO: Sergeant in Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office accused of misconduct

Jurors started deliberating on Friday and returned three not guilty verdicts just after 2 p.m., according to court documents.

Schmuecker is suing the sheriff’s office in an effort to get his job back.

The case is pending in Lancaster County District Court.