Kearney man accused of sexual assault and strangulation while on probation for similar crime
43-year-old Jason Gunderson has been arrested and charged with six offenses just weeks after a judge extended his probation for a similar crime he committed two years ago.
By News Channel Nebraska
KEARNEY, Neb. - A Kearney man is being held on a $750,000 bond after police say he sexually assaulted and strangled his romantic partner who is the same woman he was convicted of violently assaulting back in 2023.
43-year-old Jason Gunderson was arrested last week and charged with six offenses, including sexual assault, strangulation, first-degree false imprisonment, domestic assault, resisting arrest and obstructing police.
Court documents confirm that the victim in the current case is the same woman from Gunderson’s September 2023 conviction, when he was found guilty of domestic assault and strangulation and sentenced to two years of probation.
As part of that sentence, Gunderson was ordered to complete sex offender and domestic violence counseling, undergo regular drug and alcohol testing and cease all contact with the victim.
However court documents show he violated probation almost immediately by contacting the victim and lying to counselors.
Despite those violations, a Buffalo County judge lifted the no-contact order in July 2024, with no explanation given in the court files.
Gunderson continued violating probation, and this August, his probation officer requested a nine-month probation extension which was granted by a different judge.
His probation was originally set to expire on September 18, 2025.
A third judge has since reinstated the no-contact order.
Gunderson remains in the Buffalo County Jail ahead of a preliminary hearing scheduled for October 1 at 3:30 p.m.