A Lincoln inmate dies in custody at a local hospital

A Lincoln inmate held at the Reception and Treatment Center died Wednesday at Lincoln Hospital, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Shawnn Nahkahyen-Clearsand, 56, was sentenced in October 2023 to 40-50 years in prison after being found guilty of attempted first-degree sexual assault in Douglas County.

Shawnna Nakahyena-Clearsanda

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Court documents say Nahkahyen-Clearsand attacked an 8-year-old girl. The victim reported the assault to a school counselor, prompting Omaha police to launch an investigation into the charges.

Nahkahyen-Clearsand was initially charged with first-degree sexual assault, third-degree sexual assault and being a habitual felon.

The charges were later upgraded to attempted first-degree sexual assault of a child. The other two charges were dropped. Nahkahyen-Clearsand pleaded no contest and was found guilty.

A grand jury will conduct an inquest into his death, as it does with every death of someone in custody in Nebraska.