Former Nebraska news anchor sentenced to prison for threats

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — A former central Nebraska television news anchor will spend several weeks behind bars.

Joseph Scanlan, 27, was convicted Thursday of sending threatening text messages to a woman.

Buffalo County Judge Gerald Jorgensen Jr. sentenced him to three consecutive 90-day prison terms.

But Scanlan will only serve 60 days, with credit for two days served, initially.

He will then be on probation until February 1, when his prison sentence is expected to resume.

But the judge can suspend the remainder of the prison sentence, according to court documents.

SEE ALSO: Former central Nebraska TV anchor charged with threatening woman

Scanlan will also spend two years on probation.

He must undergo counseling and take anger management and self-control classes, according to court records.

Scanlan was a morning anchor at KSNB in ​​Hastings.

On Dec. 1, a woman filed for a protection order against Scanlan.

She said he had been harassing her since September through text messages, social media and handwritten notes.

He even used a KSNB account to message her, according to the protection order request.

The woman said he was fired because of it.

A judge granted the protection order, but Scanlan violated it and launched criminal proceedings against him.

He pleaded guilty to reduced charges in March.