Minden cab driver convicted of sex crime

MINDEN, Neb. (KSNB) - A cab driver accused of raping a customer at a house in Minden has pleaded no contest to attempted first degree sexual assault.

Michael Schelling, 59, was arrested last summer and was originally charged with felony first degree sexual assault. The charge stems from an incident reported to have happened July 22, when a woman says Schelling took her in his cab from Kearney to Minden and sexually assaulted her.

On Monday, Schelling pleaded no contest and was convicted on the lesser charge as part of a plea agreement.

Court documents indicate that the victim told authorities that she contacted Schelling, a cab driver from Buffalo Cab, to pick her up from her job in Kearney and take her to another location in town.

She also said she had taken approximately 22 Lyrica pills causing her to remember only parts of what had happened. The pills are described as pain relievers for nerve damage and seizure medication. WebMD said the pills can cause passing out and trouble breathing.

The affidavit goes on to when the victim describes waking up to Schelling on top of her, assaulting her.

Schelling is scheduled for sentencing July 28. The max penalty for attempted 1st degree sexual assault is 20 years in prison.