The Tenth Judicial District Court convened January 5th, with Judge Tom Stockard presiding.
James Daniel Balocca (in custody) appeared to enter a plea on a charge of attempting to commit battery, with substantial bodily harm, to a victim that constitutes domestic violence. The charge was amended on December 28th from a battery charge, also a category C felony that carries 1-5 years in prison. During his arraignment in Justice Court in November, Assistant District Attorney, Jeff Weed, alleged that on October 11th, Balocca beat his wife in the head and stomach, broke several ribs, and punctured her lung. Jacob Sommer, the public defender for Balocca, stated that the allegations are statutorily correct. He did strike his wife, but the events surrounding the incident constitute a "legal fiction" – an assertion accepted as true, though is probably fictitious, is used to reach a decision or to apply a legal rule. Balocca pled guilty to the charge and is scheduled to appear for sentencing on March 30th.
Daniel Lester Lee appeared for sentencing on DUI charges. Lee previously entered a guilty plea for driving under the influence last June while having a prior felony DUI conviction. According to Judge Tom Stockard, Nevada statute states that a prison term of 2-15 is mandatory along with a fine of $2,000-$5,000. According to ADA Weed, Lee’s blood-alcohol level was .235. Lee also previously entered a guilty plea for attempting to possess a firearm as an ex-felon, which carries 1-5 years in prison. Lee was sentenced to 33-84 months in prison and was fined $2,000 for the DUI. He was sentenced to 12-36 months on the firearms charge which will run concurrent to the first sentence.
Richard Clark Madole Jr. appeared for sentencing on larceny charges. According to arguments made by Chief Deputy District Attorney, Lane Mills, during Madole’s arraignment in Justice Court in August, he illegally took a vehicle from his father, Richard Madole, Sr., which resulted in a police chase. Madole Jr. received a suspended sentence and probation not to exceed 24 months. He was also placed in the Western Regional Drug Court diversion program and must obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow all recommendations therein.
Kevin Andrew Sneed (in custody) pled guilty on a charge of attempting to possess a dangerous weapon (or facsimile) by an incarcerated person, a category C felony that carries a penalty of 1-5 years in prison. According to the allegations, while in the custody of the Churchill County Jail, Sneed attempted to possess a weapon. A spoon had been sharpened to a point and could have been used as a weapon. Sneed is also facing probation revocation on prior unrelated convictions and will for sentencing on March 30th.
Steven Kord Wolfson (in custody) was arraigned on three charges. Count 1; offer, attempt, or commission of an unauthorized act relating to the manufacturing of certain controlled substances, a first offense that carries 1-5 years in prison. According to the allegations, Wolfson offered to sell methamphetamines to a cooperating source. Count 2; possession of a controlled substance, low level, which carries 1-5 years in prison. The allegations state that on July 27th, at Lucas Road, Wolfson possessed 66.1 grams of methamphetamines. Count 3; failure to stop on the signal of a peace officer, a category B felony with a potential penalty of 1-6 years in prison. On the same day, Wolfson failed to stop when signaled by a Churchill County Sheriff's deputy, after which a high-speed chase ensued for about two miles. Wolfson pled guilty on all three counts and will appear for sentencing on March 30th.
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