Ebert Pleads Guilty To Reckless Driving Charges

(Le Mars) — The Cherokee woman accused of intentionally creating an auto accident and causing injuries to her passenger and to another victim appeared in Plymouth County District Court this afternoon and pleaded guilty to two charges that were amended. Today’s hearing was originally scheduled to determine if whether a change of venue was needed. 30-year old Melissa Ebert instead decided to enter a guilty plea to two counts of operating a motor vehicle in a reckless manner without regard to injuring others. Initially, the charges were attempted
murder and intoxicated driving, but those charges were either dropped or amended as a result of the plea agreement. Both charges of reckless driving are felony charges that could carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each
count. Judge Duane Hoffmeyer informed Ebert he would consider accepting the pleas and would announce his decision on the date of sentencing which is now scheduled for May 8th at 1:00 p.m. at the Plymouth County Courthouse. Ebert admitted guilt to reckless driving and injuring her boyfriend Damian Johnson, as
well as the victim in the other car, Dustin Bull. Ebert told the judge that a verbal argument occurred between herself and her boyfriend, who was a passenger with Ebert. She says the argument became more severe after leaving Sioux City.
Plymouth County Attorney Darrin Raymond informed the judge that he wanted the record to reflect that Ebert had been weaving from lane to lane, and that she was speeding at the time of the crash. Ebert, then admitted to speeding, and informed the judge she believed she was traveling 10 mph over the posted speed
limit at the time of the collision. Back in January, Ebert had agreed to a plea deal to serve a maximum of 12 years in prison, but backed out of that agreement.