Charges, bail increased in stabbing incident

Jose Angel Garcia Porras, the man arrested in a Dec. 11 stabbing incident in Imperial, Nebraska, is facing additional charges and higher bail following a Dec. 14 arraignment in Chase County Court.

County Attorney Arlan Wine said more information gathered from the investigation led to the added charges and increased bail requests before Judge Edward Steenburg.

Garcia Porras now faces two counts of first-degree assault, up from the original two counts of second-degree assault, as well as an added possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibitive person charge.

Two counts of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony were unchanged.

All charges are felonies.

Garcia Porras’ bond was also increased by the judge from $150,000 to $250,000. Wine said U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials had asked for a $500,000 bond.

Even if Garcia Porras would post the 10% bond requirement to be released from Chase County Jail, there is an ICE detainer on him that would keep him behind bars, Wine said.

Garcia Porras has been deported twice, according to Wine.

“We’re at the beginning of a very chaotic situation,” Wine said.

The incident is being investigated by the Imperial Police Department.

Sgt. Chad Ostmeyer said Monday they continue to investigate the altercation that morning, and did find bullets on the scene, including a spent shell casing and two unspent casings.

He said officers continue to interview witnesses.

Garcia Porras was one of a number of people attending a birthday party at the Imperial city gym Dec. 10, according to the police report.  

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