Ex-Neb. Center Worker Pleads Guilty in Abuse Case A former worker accused of abusing residents at a Nebraska center for developmentally disabled adults has pleaded guilty to abuse charges. Matthew Johnson, of Beatrice, pleaded guilty to two counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult on Friday in Gage County District Court. He faces up to five years in prison on each count. Sentencing is Aug. 22. In exchange, five charges of strangulation were dismissed. Johnson agreed to testify against the others charged in the case. Another defendant, Cameron Barnes, of Fairbury, pleaded no contest to two abuse charges on Thursday. Johnson and Barnes and three other workers were charged after an investigation last year at the Beatrice State Development Center. They allegedly beat, pushed and choked residents. Cases are pending against Carmen Yates, Matthew Pangborn and Cody Creek.