(KLZA)-- Formal charges have been filed against former Richardson County  Deputy Sheriff Joshua Nincehelser.  

Charges filed in Richardson County District Court against the 25-year Dawson resident include a felony count of criminal mischief.  In addition, three misdemeanor charges were also filed--including false reporting, official misconduct and obstruction of government operations. 

In the early morning hours of June 9th, while on duty, authorities say Nincehelser  allegedly shot himself in the upper left arm.  He then reported to the dispatcher he had been shot by an unidentified assailant in a car he had stopped to check on. 

That led to a search of northwestern Richardson County utilizing a Nebraska State Patrol helicopter and manpower in addition to local law enforcement.

The patrol pickup Nincehelser was driving was damaged by bullets.  He was treated for the gunshot wound at a Lincoln hospital. 

During  an investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol, Nincehelser allegedly admitted he shot himself in the arm, fired several shots into his patrol vehicle and falsely reported to his dispatcher he was chasing a fleeing vehicle.

Nincehelser is currently being held at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Diagnostic and Evaluation Center at Lincoln. Bail was set a $50,000.

Nincehelser is currently scheduled for arraignment in Richardson County Court on July 14th at 2 p-m. 

Kale Burdick with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office will serve as special prosecutor in the case.