Nebraska Sheriff Accepts Plea Deal in Insurance Fraud Case

In a notable legal development in Nebraska, Valley County Sheriff Casey Hurlburt entered a plea agreement in response to charges of insurance fraud. By pleading no contest to an amended charge of Attempt of a Class IV Felony, Hurlburt has agreed to relinquish his law enforcement license. This plea bargain precludes the filing of any additional charges against him. In a move aimed at resolving the matter without incarceration, prosecutors have recommended a fine as punishment, opting not to pursue jail time or probation.

The case unfolded following an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol, which led to Hurlburt’s arrest in October. The accusations centered around a deceptive car insurance claim related to an accident involving a 2004 Chevy Monte Carlo. According to investigators, the accident occurred in March of 2022, but Hurlburt procured an insurance policy in April and subsequently filed a claim alleging the incident happened in October—thus attempting to secure insurance coverage for the repairs. While the precise value of the insurance claim was not disclosed, it was reported to be between $1,500 and $5,000.

The court session on Wednesday afternoon saw Hurlburt formalizing the plea agreement, marking a significant moment in this case. This event underscores the legal and ethical expectations placed on law enforcement officers and the consequences of violating those standards, particularly in matters involving fraud and deception.