Bradley Harold Emery, in custody, pled guilty to Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Sale, a Category D Felony punishable by 1- 4 years, and to False Imprisonment, a Gross Misdemeanor which carries up to 364 days in jail. Churchill County Public Defender Wright Noel stated his client possessed a large amount of marijuana intended for his personal use and not for sale; however, this was the charge agreed to in the plea memorandum. Emery stated that he did barricade another individual, admitting to false imprisonment, for which he received a suspended sentence of 364 days in jail. He was also provisionally placed in the Western Regional Drug Court program. Sentencing on the possession case was scheduled for May 31.
Satya Ranaveermahendr Singh, in custody, pled guilty to Failure to Appear after Admission to Bail, a Category D Felony punishable by 1- 4 years in prison. Singh admitted that on November 18, 2021, he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing on a charge of Assault with a Deadly Weapon. According to his attorney, CCPD Wright Noel, substance abuse contributes to his client's issues. Noel requested placement for Singh in the Vitality residential treatment program. Judge Estes agreed to Singh's placement in the program provided he obtains a substance abuse evaluation that confirms an underlying substance abuse issue. Singh will be transported directly to Vitality and back to the Churchill County Jail after completing the program, remaining in custody until sentencing on June 7.
Derrick Carlyle Alexander, in custody, appeared for an arraignment on a charge of Issuance of a Check or Draft without Sufficient Money or Credit. However, his attorney, CCPD Wright Noel, informed Judge Estes that his office needed to withdraw from the case. "We had a breakdown in communication," said Noel, "such that I cannot represent him or his best interests." Estes removed Noel from the case, and another attorney will be appointed. Alexander's arraignment was postponed for two weeks. Upon leaving the defense table, Estes asked Alexander if he had just spit in the courtroom. Alexander said no and that he did something else, stating he had no problem with the judge, "just these other people." Estes replied, "The Court saw what you did." He found Alexander in Contempt of Court and sentenced him to 25 days in jail.
Scott Kevin Greene, in custody, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Possessing or Receiving Forged Instruments or Bills, a Gross Misdemeanor or Felony based on the circumstances. According to Greene, he unknowingly had forged bills. Judge Estes told Greene that he could not accept his plea. Greene stated he did not know he was breaking the law, which is a requirement in criminal court for guilty plea acceptance. CCPD Noel told the court that his client was pulled over during a traffic stop where he consented to a search. Officers found some bills in his wallet, which later proved counterfeit. Greene is currently on probation and felt pleading to misdemeanor conspiracy was in his best interest. The plea was made "per Alford," which is the guilty acceptance of a crime when the defendant claims innocence in the activity and does not admit to the crime. Judge Estes accepted Greene's plea based on the Alford ruling and Greene received probation on a suspended term of 180 days in jail.
Sandra Winterflower Curtis, in custody, pled guilty to Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance, a first or second offense Category E Felony punishable by 1- 4 years in prison. Curtis admitted that on May 30, 2021, she unlawfully possessed methamphetamine. CCPD Jacob Sommer requested the Court defer sentencing and grant Curtis an opportunity to "successfully" complete the Western Nevada Regional Drug Court program. Judge Estes granted Sommer's request, with Curtis to be released from custody following her first appearance in Drug Court.
Eric Raymond Chandler, in custody, appeared for sentencing on a charge of Attempt to Fail to Register as a Sex Offender. According to CCPD Noel, Chandler is from California and thought he had five days to register; however, the Nevada registration period is two days. Judge Estes noted that Chandler has an extensive criminal history in California and cautioned him against similar actions in rural Nevada. Estes granted Chandler probation on a suspended sentence of 19 - 48 months in prison with 146 days credit for time served.
Isabel Corwin, in custody, appeared on a charge of Failure to Appear After Admission to Bail, Category D Felony punishable by 1- 4 years in prison. ADA Chelsea Sanford asked the Court to impose a 12 to 48-month sentence in prison, stating that Corwin is not amendable to supervision and has been given multiple chances at rehabilitation. "She failed to appear for a Failure to Appear hearing," said Sanford. CCPD Jacob Sommer argued for probation, stating that this is the client's first felony conviction, and asked that she be admitted into the Western Nevada Regional Drug Court program. Corwin apologized, saying, "I want to get home to my kids." Estes told Corwin, "It's not uncommon for people to say, 'I'm not going to do that again' and 'I've learned my lesson,’ and they walk out and chuckle to themselves because they beat the system, yet again. I agree with Ms. Sanford that you should go to prison. But on the off chance, I'm wrong – and I'm not, I'm going to take that chance anyway.” Judge Estes granted Corwin probation on a suspended sentence of 12 - 48 months and she must successfully complete Drug Court. Estes postponed her release from jail for seven days stating, "I want you to think about sitting in jail an extra seven days because you wouldn't spend an hour coming to court."
James Allen Bond, in custody, appeared for sentencing on a charge of Failure to Appear After Admission to Bail, Category D Felony punishable by 1- 4 years in prison. ADA Sanford asked the Court to sentence Bond to 12 - 48 months in prison, stating that Bond walked out of a long-term sober living program and refuses to comply with the terms of his release. CCPD Sommer argued for probation and admittance into Drug Court. According to Sommer, program facilitators were pleased with Bond's progress and behavior while he was there. Bond told the Court that he wanted out of the drug life. "You say this time is different, but you have had 12 years to do the right thing, and you haven't done it. Those are all your decisions," Estes said, referring to Bond's long history of misdemeanors. "But at some point, you have to pay the price. And for you, that day is today." Bond was sentenced to 12 - 48 months in prison with 69 days credit given for time served.
Christopher Jay Chafin, in custody, appeared for sentencing on two cases; Failure to Appear after Admission to Bail and Attempt to Commit Embezzlement, both Category D felonies punishable by 1- 4 years in prison. ADA Chelsea Sanford argued for Chafin to be sentenced to two consecutive 19 to 48-month prison terms. According to Sanford, Chafin took advantage of a senior citizen, borrowed a trailer, and used it for his own ill-gotten gains. "And we just can't get him to show up for court unless he is wearing stripes." CCPD Jacob Sommer stated that his client knows he needs to pay the price. He asked the Court for prison, not probation. Sommer requested the Court consider running the sentences concurrently. Judge Estes imposed consecutive sentences of 12 - 48 months on the Attempt to Commit Embezzlement charge and 19 - 48 months for the FTA, despite Chafin's vocal protests that he did not steal the trailer. He was also ordered to pay $3,150 in restitution. Estes remanded him back into the custody of the Sheriff for the execution of his sentence.
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