Mistrial declared in case of Lancaster County sergeant accused of not serving warrants

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The trial of a former sergeant in the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office ended Tuesday in a mistrial.

The jury could not reach a verdict in the case against Ryan Schmuecker, who is accused of failing to serve two misdemeanor warrants.

In February, Schmuecker came across two people who were wanted for not paying fines, according to the sheriff’s office.

But instead of arresting them, he told them to pay their fines and let them go, authorities said.

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

Schmuecker was fired on May 10.

Jurors asked to see more evidence on Tuesday, according to court documents, but were told they had all the evidence they would get.

The jury took multiple votes on the verdict, but the tally did not change.

SEE ALSO: Former Lancaster County sergeant charged with two misdemeanors after firing

So jurors told Lancaster County Judge Jo Petersen that they were deadlocked.

She dismissed them and scheduled a hearing for Dec. 20 to determine the next step in the case.

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

That case is pending in Lancaster County District Court.

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