District Court News

Daniel Ray Sharp appeared with this attorney, Jesse Kalter, Esq., to be arraigned on three violent felony charges. The charges included: (1) Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison, (2) Burglary with Possession of a Firearm or Deadly Weapon, also a Category B Felony, punishable by 1-10 years, and (3) Coercion with use of Physical Force or the Immediate Threat of Physical Force, a Category B Felony that carries 1-6 years. Sharp waived his right to a speedy trial and pled not guilty on all three charges. Both Sharp and the District Attorney’s Office consented to attempt to resolve the matter in a Criminal Settlement Conference. A senior judge will hear the case from another district. If no satisfactory resolution is reached, a jury will determine the matter. The Court set the trial for April 27-29. 

 Mandi Dawn Dunbar pled guilty to Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Sale, a first offense, and a Category D Felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison. According to Churchill County Public Defender (CCPD) Jacob Sommer, on July 1, 2021, his client did possess a Schedule I controlled substance, namely methamphetamine, be sold within Churchill County. Sommer requested that Dunbar be provisionally placed in the Western Regional Drug Court program pending sentencing on April 19. Judge Stockard granted the request.  

Stoney Dean Johnson pled guilty to a single count of Damage to Prisons or Jails with Damage Less than $5,000, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail. According to Public Defender Noel, on September 20, while in the custody of the Churchill County Detention Center, his client did damage a sprinkler head. Johnson was sentenced to probation on a suspended sentence of 364 days in jail, ordered to pay $210 in restitution, and must complete the Western Regional Drug Court program. 

 Trevor James Nady failed to appear physically in Court for the fourth week in a row. Last week he appeared via Zoom claiming illness and Judge Stockard ordered him to physically appear for today’s sentencing hearing unless he could produce a positive COVID-19 test result. A $25,000 cash-only bench warrant was issued.  

Richard Scott Gardner, in custody, pled guilty to a single count of Possession of a Controlled Substance, a first or second offense, a Category E Felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison. Public Defender for Gardner, Wright Noel, said that on October 26, his client did possess methamphetamine within Churchill County. DA Mills reported on Gardner’s extensive criminal history, which dates back over 20 years. Gardner received probation on a suspended sentence of 19-28 months in prison, must complete the Western Regional Drug Court program, and must find employment or complete 20 hours of community service per week.  

Sarah Arlene Marsh, in custody, pled guilty to Attempt to Commit Unlawful Obtaining of the Identifying Information of Another to Avoid or Delay Prosecution, either a Category C Felony or a gross misdemeanor with penalties of up 364 days in jail or 1-5 years in prison. The Court will hear potential victim impact testimony at sentencing and determine if she will be convicted on a felony or gross misdemeanor.  

Amram Rocko Humphrey, in custody, was present for a status hearing regarding a pending interstate probation compact with Arizona, where he intends to return upon release. On October 26, Humphrey received probation on a suspended sentence of 24-60 months in prison for Obliterating the Serial Number on a Firearm, a Category C Felony. His release was based on the compact with Arizona, which has yet to be approved. Humphrey, his defense attorney Wright Noel, and Parole & Probation are working to resolve the issue. Should the interstate compact fail to materialize, the Court will release him to a long-term substance abuse program in Northern Nevada.  

Marcus Orlando Raoul Leyva Jr., in custody, appeared for sentencing violations. According to Parole & Probation, Leyva failed to perform to the standards required of a probationer. CCPD Jacob Sommer, counsel for Leyva, explained that his client has recently been charged in Mineral County for the alleged felony Coercion of a Minor for Sexual Purposes and potentially faces 1-10 in prison. Leyva has been before Judge Stockard on other cases where he received probation. These include one count of assault with a deadly weapon and battery on an officer. Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills told the Court that Leyva has received many chances at probation and help with his addiction. Mills argued for Leyva’s probation to be revoked, stating, “We cannot gamble with the lives of this community with this man.” Mills continued saying that Leyva needs to pay the price for his crimes here. Further, he went out and violated the Court’s trust. During one of Leyva’s previous appearances, Mills stated the defendant has a criminal history that includes theft, domestic battery on a protected person, and other violent crimes. 

Defense counsel for Leyva, Charles Woodman, Esq., told the Court that his client was not anticipating probation in Mineral County, mainly because he was already on probation at the time of his arrest. “My client is not asking the Court to reinstate him on probation,” said Woodman.  

Judge Stockard revoked Leyva’s probation and imposed the underlying sentence of 19-48 months in prison for his 2020 Assault with a Deadly Weapon conviction. He is currently awaiting sentencing on the Coercion charge.