A former Nebraska State Patrol Trooper from Scottsbluff who was convicted on numerous child enticement and child pornography charges has been sentenced.
On Monday morning in Scotts Bluff County District Court, 25-year-old Brandon Dolezal was sentenced to 40 to 56 years in prison on six convictions of Attempted Child Enticement and Possession of Child Pornography.
Dolezal was arrested in 2021 following a criminal investigation that revealed that he was having Snapchat messages with girls from Gering High School that were sexual in nature.
Prosecuting Attorney Sandra Allen with the Attorney General’s Office condemned Dolezal for abusing his power as a law enforcement officer to manipulate children.
“He would talk to them immediately after he SnapChatted them and befriended these victims,” said Allen. “He would talk to them about his job, telling them he’s a patrolman. He would send them pictures of his car, he would talk to him about his arrests that he had made; all in which to try to get these young victims interested in him.”
Allen also noted that Dolezal has tarnished the reputation of the Nebraska State Patrol as well as the victim’s opinion of law enforcement officers.
Defense Attorney Matthew Knipe acknowledged that his client needs and desires treatment following his diagnosis of having a paraphilic disease.
“Albeit better late than never, at the bare minimum your Honor, he has recognized that, he has agreed that he needs some type of treatment,” said Knipe.
Afterwards, Dolezal had the opportunity to speak and address the court.
“I just want to apologize to the victims for any damage I may have caused; to the family and friends of the victims who no doubt had to give them support during this time; and to the courts and law enforcement officers who had to work on this as well. There’s nothing I can say here that will undo the damages that my actions have caused. I’m just ashamed of myself that I lacked the strength and courage years ago to seek help for this and I realize now how selfish that train of thought was.”
During today’s sentencing, District Judge Travis O’Gorman said there wasn’t much to say after reading the presentence investigation.
“As the prosecution said, you used your position of authority to harm children,” said O’Gorman. “I think anything less than a period of incarceration would depreciate the seriousness of the offense and promote of disrespect for the law.”
Last month in Sarpy County he was sentenced to 20 to 40 years for a conviction of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Minor, and O’Gorman ordered today’s sentence to run consecutive to the Sarpy County sentencing.
Currently, Dolezal will not be eligible for parole until 2061 and is still facing six counts of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child in Douglas County.
