Zane R. Berens, 22, took part in plea and sentencing hearings in Cass County District Court on Monday morning. He pled guilty to a Class IV felony charge of criminal impersonation.

Berens is currently serving time in the Nebraska Department of Corrections for a felony charge of domestic assault of a pregnant woman-third degree. Cass County prosecutors agreed to dismiss a similar charge against Berens in exchange for his guilty plea. Prosecutors from Douglas and Cass counties worked together in forming the plea agreement.

Deputy County Attorney Richard Fedde told the court a CCSO deputy conducted a routine traffic stop of Berens’ car on Aug. 9. Berens gave the name of his real brother when the deputy asked for identification.

Fedde said the deputy became convinced that Berens was lying about his identity and asked him for additional information. Berens then admitted that he had provided a false name.

Defense attorney Julie Bear asked the court in the sentencing hearing to follow the recommendation of six months in prison. She said Berens had spent 40 days in custody after being arrested. She said the deputy who pulled him over knew who Berens’ brother was. This led to the criminal impersonation charge.

Judge Michael Smith agreed with the recommendation and sentenced Berens to six months. He will serve that amount at the same time as his Douglas County sentence on the domestic assault charge. He began serving a sentence of one year in prison on that charge on Dec. 8.