Tyler Rex Fisher appeared for sentencing violations after failing to comply with the terms of his probation. His underlying convictions include two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, a First or Second Offense, and Category E Felonies punishable by 1-4 years in prison each. He received probation on suspended prison sentences of 19-74 months and 12-32 months last August, with the terms to run concurrently. Fisher has had multiple probation violations since that time. According to ADA Sanford, Fisher has a substance abuse problem and is simply not trying, although help has been offered. Judge Stockard revoked Fisher’s probation and remanded him back into custody for sentence disposition.
Kayla Renee Pierson was arraigned on a lesser charge of Conspiracy to Possess a Schedule III, IV, or V Controlled Substance, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail. According to her attorney, Justin Oaks, Esq., last July, his client did conspire with another person to possess a controlled substance. Pierson admitted to attempting to sell Xanax to the other individual, stating, “This is completely out of character for me. I did not think about the consequence or the harm that it could have done the person I was selling to." The Court ordered a substance abuse evaluation and scheduled sentencing for March 28.
Samantha Sabrina Ortiz-Quiroz, in custody, was arraigned on a charge of Failure to Appear After Admission to Bail (FTA), a Category D Felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison after failing to appear for sentencing on November 10. She also appeared for sentencing on a charge of Attempt to Commit Home Invasion, a Category C Felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills stated, “Ms. Ortiz-Quiroz just doesn’t get it,” explaining that her conduct has been unacceptable. “I am sure we are going to hear some excuse for why she didn’t perform…COVID, my dog died, some country song,” said Mills, who opposed any type of diversion program and asked the Court to consider a substantial prison sentence.
CCPD Jacob Sommer, defense counsel for Ortiz-Quiroz, stated that his client had begun to understand the seriousness of this and argued for probation and extended treatment. According to Sommer, she has completed the substance abuse program at New Frontier and has been accepted into the long-term treatment program at the Reno-Sparks Gospel mission. Judge Stockard granted Ortiz-Quiroz probation on suspended sentences of 24-60 months for the attempted home invasion and 19-48 months for the FTA. The terms are to run consecutively, and she must also successfully complete the Reno-Sparks Gospel Program as a requirement of her probation.
Jean Michele Oxford appeared for sentencing on a charge of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony Crime Under the Uniform Controlled Substance Act, a first offense Category C Felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison. Justin Oaks, also defending Oxford, said Oxford has been a model client and done exceptionally well while provisionally placed in the Western Regional Drug Court program. Oxford told the Court that this was her second time in the program. “This time, I am open-minded and willing accept help,” stated Oxford, “I am being very receptive to everything that is offered to me.” She received a probation on a suspended sentence of 12-36 months and must complete the Drug Court program.
Ronald Gene Renzulli appeared for sentencing on two charges: (1) Offer, Attempt or Commission of Unauthorized Act relating to Manufacture or Compounding of Certain Controlled Substances, a Category C Felony with a potential penalty of 1-5 years in prison, and (2) Low-Level Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Category C Felony punishable by 1-10 years. Low-level possession indicates possession between 14-28 grams.
ADA Chelsea Sandford argued for prison for Renzulli, stating that he is a nine-time convicted felon, has been imprisoned nine times, and has six misdemeanor convictions. He has rarely been able to meet the requirements of probation, said Sanford, “He just can’t stop profiting from drugs,” said Sanford.
Defense attorney Justin Oaks, Esq., admitted that his client is high risk. “But the question is,” asked Oaks, “Is he worth the risk?” He further stated that Renzulli is a product of his environment, was raised in foster care, lived on the streets, and only sold meth in the community after losing his job during COVID. “That is not a blanket excuse, but people were desperate,” Oaks said. Renzulli had ten years without contact with law enforcement and completed the Vitality substance abuse program. “I don’t know what it will take for him to cross that threshold, but I don’t know if sending him to prison will accomplish that either.” Renzulli addressed the Court, stating, “I am sorry for what happened, and I take full responsibility.”
Judge Stockard granted Renzulli probation on consecutive sentences of 24-60 months each, and he must successfully complete the Western Regional Drug Court program.
Ronald Dean Smith, in custody, pled guilty to a single count of Offer, Attempt, or Commission of an Unauthorized Act relating to Manufacture or Compounding of Certain Controlled Substances, a Category C Felony with a potential penalty of 1-5 years in prison. According to Smith’s defense attorney, Charles Woodman, Esq., on April 16, 2021, on or near Taylor Place in Churchill County, his client was in possession of 48.9 grams of methamphetamine. Woodman argued for probation and substance abuse treatment for his client, noting that most of his criminal history occurred before 1999 when he was in a serious industrial accident that left him with brain damage and hearing loss. Further, most of Smith’s convictions since the accident involve drug-related charges. Judge Stockard considered those convictions, which included a trafficking charge in Clark County that was reduced to sales and a sales/possession charge in Nye County – both of which ultimately landed Smith in prison. Judge Stockard granted Smith probation on a suspended sentence of 24-60 months in prison despite his criminal history. He must also obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow all recommendations therein.
Thomas Scott Walla, in custody, pled guilty to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Other Intoxicating Substance (with a prior felony DUI), a Category B Felony punishable by 2-15 years in prison. According to CCPD Jacob Sommer, on August 28, his client was in control of a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit. Walla has a previous DUI conviction from 2020 in Lyon County, where he received probation. Walla addressed the Court, stating that he has struggled with substance abuse his whole life, costing him his health and freedom. “I accept the consequences of my actions. I should not have been driving that day, and I am sorry,” Walla said. By statute, in specific second offense DUIs, prison is mandatory. Judge Stockard sentenced Walla to 32-120 months in prison and imposed a fine of $2,000.
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