The Western Plains Superintendent of Schools arrested in late August has been formally charged.
On Sept. 18, 2026, Jeff Jones was charged in Ness County District Court with nine felonies and 10 misdemeanors.
Jones is facing felony charges of aggravated intimidation of a witness or a victim; contributing to a child’s misconduct; felony theft; interference with the judicial process; making false information; unlawful acts concerning computers; and interference with law enforcement.
The misdemeanors include presenting a false claim; misuse of public funds; theft; attempted theft; four counts of ‘making or participating in certain prohibited contracts; failure to report pupil for suspension or expulsion; and two counts of official misconduct.
The aggravated intimidation charge — a level 6 person felony — carries a potential sentence of 17-19 months in prison for someone without a prior criminal history.
On that charge, prosecutors allege Jones “did unlawfully prevent or dissuade, or attempted to prevent or dissuade, with an intent to vex, annoy, harm, or injure in any way another person or with an intent to thwart or interfere in any manner with the orderly administration of justice, and the victim or witness was under 18 years of age.”
The contributing-to-a-child’s-misconduct charge appears to stem from the aggravated intimidation charge. As a level 7 person felony, Jones, if convicted, would face 11 to 13 months in prison.
On the felony theft charge, prosecutors allege Jones stole between $25 and $100,000 from USD 106 — also a level 7 felony.
In the misdemeanor theft charges, prosecutors allege Jones stole $1,500 from school concessions. Prosecutors also allege Jones directed contracts to companies in which he had a financial interest.
The Western Plains district includes Ransom and Bazine, as well as several other towns in rural Ness County.
USD 106 Western Plains placed Jones on administrative leave during an emergency board meeting shortly after his arrest. Jones was booked into the Ness County Jail on $5,000 bond and released the same day.
No court date has been set.
