Tuesday, December 14, proved to be an unusual day in the Tenth Judicial District Court. Chances ran out for several individuals who continue to demonstrate habitual criminal behavior within Churchill County. Judge Thomas Stockard sentenced four of the eight defendants to prison, sanctioned one to jail for the remainder of his probation, granted probation on two individuals, while another awaits sentencing on a $50,000 cash-only bond after appearing in court high on methamphetamine.
Curtis Brady Jr., in custody, appeared for sentencing on three charges, including Ex-Felon Not to Possess a Firearm, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison. Changing, Altering, Removing, or Obliterating Serial Number of Firearm, also a Category B Felony, which is punishable by 1-4 years in prison. Possession of Short Barrel Rifle or Shotgun, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison. “ This is a dangerous man,” stated ADA Chelsea Sanford. “You can see what this man does when he is in possession of a firearm.” According to Sanford, Brady has two prior felonies, including discharging a firearm into an occupied structure and battery with intent to commit robbery with a deadly weapon against a person sixty years or older. “This is a defendant who uses firearms to cause terror and danger among the citizens of this community." CCPD Wright Noel argued for probation in Brady’s defense. “The State assumes the robbery with a deadly weapon was a gun, when it was a knife,” said Noel. “There is no evidence that he intended to commit a crime. All charges stem from one act – possessing a gun. He was not running around the community with a firearm,” Noel continued. Judge Stockard sentenced Brady to 24-72 months on the first count and 12-48 months each for counts two and three, with the sentences to run concurrently. “I considered probation,” stated Judge Stockard, “But, I am not willing to grant that." He remanded Brady to the custody of the Sheriff for disposition of sentence.
Scott Alexander Brown, in custody, appeared for sentencing on a charge of Ex-Felon Not to Possess a Firearm, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison, to which he pled guilty in September. ADA Chelsea Sandford requested the court sentence Brown to 24-72 months, stating that he has been in prison five times on five different felonies, including escaping from prison. Sanford said that Brown also violated the terms of his parole, failed to appear for court hearings, and faced other minor charges in Churchill County. “He knows he should not a have firearm,” said Sanford. “I also don’t like it when a defendant blames his mommy. He is an older man.” Sanford also stated that Brown claimed that Taylor Street is a dangerous neighborhood.
CCPD Wright Noel objected to Sandford’s statement that his client was trying to deflect blame and said that the gun belonged to his client’s mother and was kept in a lockbox by her bed. “She is alone at night and he is worried for her safety,” said Noel. “But, he knows he cannot be in a house with a gun.” According to Noel, Brown committed no other crimes but did violate the law. Additionally, he is dealing with substance abuse issues. In his statement to the court, Brown said, “I understand I am guilty and I accept my guilt. I am asking for a chance to address my substance abuse. I am sorry for what I have done. I am asking for another chance.”
Judge Stockard sentenced Brown to 16-48 months in prison and remanded him to the custody of the Sheriff for disposition of sentence.
Marco Antonio Cortes was arraigned on a single count of Battery on an Officer, a gross misdemeanor that carries up to 364 days in jail. The allegations state that on August 28, Cortes pushed Hannah Zamora, a Sheriff’s Deputy, at the Churchill County fairgrounds. According to Assistant District Attorney Jeffery Weed, law enforcement responded to a fight during the Cantaloupe Festival. Cortes was aggressive and yelling profanities at another individual in the parking lot. Weed said that Cortes began to advance in the direction of the person he was yelling at, and Deputy Zamora attempted to intervene. At that time, Cortes violently pushed her. She pulled her taser and enlisted help from fellow officers to subdue him.
Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer stated that he perceived the incident differently based on video footage. Sommer said there was no excuse for his client’s behavior; however, he believes that Cortes instinctually responded when Zamora approached him from behind and slightly to the side. In his opinion, Cortes did not intend to react as he did. However, things moved very quickly, said Sommer.
“I totally agree with the DA,” Cortes told the Court, “I realized I did a lot more than I thought. I want to say I am sorry to Officer Zamora, and I didn’t mean to waste everyone’s time.”
Zamora provided victim impact testimony and stated, “Men like Mr. Cortes have no respect for authority, for law enforcement, for females in positions of authority. I have no hate or anger toward him and if our paths crossed again, I would extend a hand to him and hope he would do the same.”
Cortes pled guilty to the charge, was sentenced to 10 days in jail, and was placed on probation.
Nicholas Daniel Docherty, in custody, appeared on a sentencing violation after Parole and Probation alleged that he violated the controlled substance provision of his probation and has failed to pay any of the restitution he owes (over $2,200). In November of 2020, Docherty was arrested for throwing a rock through the window of System Consultants on Maine Street. In January 2021, Docherty pled guilty to a gross misdemeanor charge of Injury to Property and received 120 days in jail and probation. According to ADA Priscilla Baker, since that time, he has used drugs, been to treatment, and put no effort into paying restitution. Judge Stockard remanded Docherty to custody to serve 9 nine days in jail, after which he will be dishonorably discharged from supervision as his probation expires on December 24.
Ronald Gene Renzulli appeared for a Court Services violation. Justin Oaks, Esq., defense counsel for Renzulli, stated that his client has had some health issues, has been sick, and his wife is terminally ill, which is why he has been out of compliance. Judge Stockard asked Renzulli that if he was drug tested, would there be anything in his system? Renzulli said no, and subsequently tested positive for meth. Stockard admonished Renzulli stating, “When you are on Court Services - you don’t just decide what you are going to do. You are going wait in jail or comply. If you have a problem, you address it with Court Services and they decided what you can do.” Stockard remanded Renzulli to custody with a $50,000 cash-only bail. He is charged with Offer, Attempt, or Commit an Unauthorized Act Relating to the Manufacture or Compounding of Certain Controlled Substances and Possession of a Controlled Substance, both Category C Felonies punishable by 1-5 years in prison. He is to appear for sentencing on February 1, 2022.
Harlan Dean Taylor appeared for sentencing on a charge of Burglary of a Business, a Category C Felony. According to CCPD Wright Noel, Taylor worked at Fallon Glass and took money from the cash register after hours. Since his arrest, he has repaid the money stolen and gained employment elsewhere. “I know what I did was wrong,” stated Taylor. “I want to apologized to Fallon Glass.” Taylor received probation on a suspended sentence of 19-48 months in prison.
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