A North Platte woman is facing a Felony charge after she helped an inmate at the Lincoln County Detention Center contact his wife whom he allegedly assaulted.

On May 8, the North Platte Police Department (NPPD) learned that Melissa Eckhoff had helped Quincy Shugart contact the victim of his crime, his wife.  Shugart is currently incarcerated for Domestic Assault and several other charges.

An investigation revealed that Eckhoff arranged for contact both over the phone, and via email.

On one occasion, Eckhoff allowed the victim to use her cell phone to contact the jail and speak to Shugart, at which time he attempted to convince her to drop the domestic assault charges.

The victim had blocked Shugart’s ability to contact her directly from the jail, which is why Eckhoff’s assistance was needed.

NPPD Officers contacted Eckhoff and charged her with Aiding and Abetting Tampering with a Witness, a Class IV felony.

The Lincoln County Attorney’s Office also filed Witness Tampering charges against Shugart.