William Edward Michael LaSalle pled guilty to a first or second offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Category E Felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison. According to Churchill County Public Defender Wright Noel, his client was in possession of a Schedule IV or V Controlled Substance, which he believes is a steroid type substance. Per the terms of his plea agreement, proceedings were suspended. LaSalle received probation and was placed in the Western Regional Drug Court program.
Cody James Palmer Lehman pled guilty to Driving Under the Influence, a third or subsequent offense within seven years, and a Category B Felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison. According to CCPD Noel, his client was driving or in control of a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level of .266, well over the legal limit of .08. Lehman was provisionally placed in the DUI Diversion program pending sentencing on July 12. Judge Stockard ordered Lehman to have an Interlock Device placed on any vehicle he drives to prevent driving while impaired.
Benjamin Franklin Pascoe failed to appear for an arraignment. According to Court Services, Pascoe has failed to appear for four drug tests after being released on his own recognizance. A bench warrant was issued with a $50,000 cash-only bond.
Mandi Dawn Dunbar appeared for sentencing on a charge of 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 CCPD Jacob Sommer, his client is doing well in Drug Court and has been trying to obtain additional substance abuse treatment and counseling. Although she has had some issues, Sommer believes that Drug Court is a beneficial option for her and requested the court to consider probation. Dunbar told Judge Stockard that she feels the program is helping her, and she would like to continue. Stockard suspended the proceedings, granted probation, and officially placed her in Drug Court.
Daniel Gomez-Rodriguez appeared for sentencing on a charge of Failure to Stop on the Signal of Peace Officer, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison, and a potential fine of up to $5,000. According to CCPD Jacob Sommer, last September, Gomez-Rodriguez failed to stop upon the signal of a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper who attempted to pull him over. Both defense counsel and state requested a continuance, which Judge Stockard granted. The court set sentencing for May 17.
Brian Keith Alford was not present for sentencing on charges of 1) Possession of a Controlled Substance of a High Level, a Category B Felony punishable by 2-15 years in prison, and 2) Offer, Attempt, or Commission of an Unauthorized Act Relating to the Manufacture or Compounding of Certain Controlled Substances a Category C Felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison. Defense counsel for Alford and the state agreed to continue the matter for one week, for which Alford is required a appear.
Jillian Jean Sasser, in custody, appeared for a probation/sentencing violation. Sasser was ordered by the court to seek residential treatment at the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission long-term substance abuse program. The allegations claim that Sasser was removed from the program for fraternization. According to her Public Defender, Jacob Sommer, Sasser’s progress was commendable outside of the actions that led up to her removal from the program. Sommer also stated that he has been working on getting Sasser enrolled in Step 2, a women’s long-term treatment facility that would better accommodate her efforts to get her child back. Judge Stockard cautioned Sasser against breaking the rules again and reminded her that he could have sent her to prison at sentencing but elected to grant her request to seek long-term substance abuse treatment. Stockard modified the terms of her probation to allow her to complete her program at Step 2. However, he warned Sassar that if she violated again, he would revoke her probation and impose her underlying sentences of 16-2 years. Sasser received probation on two counts of Offer, Attempt, or Commission of Unauthorized Act Relating to Manufacture or Compounding of Certain Controlled Substances to a charge of Ex-Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Derrick Carlyle Alexander appeared for an arraignment with his appointed attorney Karla K. Butko, Esq., on a charge of Failure to Appear After Admission to Bail, a Category D Felony, punishable by 1-4 years in prison. According to Butko, Alexander did not appear for his scheduled appearance on December 14 because he was in California. Butko clarified that her statement was not a defense argument but rather a statement on a factual basis. Per the terms of his plea agreement, Alexander received probation on a suspended sentence of 18-48 months in prison to run concurrently with the probation term he is currently serving. Alexander will return to California as soon as an interstate probation compact is in place.
Sarah Arlene Marsh appeared for sentencing on a charge of Unlawful Obtaining and Using the Personal Identifying of Information of Another to Avoid Prosecution. According to ADA Priscilla Baker, the offense is a “wobbler” and can be charged as a Gross Misdemeanor or a Category D Felony and punishable by 1-5 years in prison. Baker stated that Marsh has a severe alcohol problem that needs to be taken seriously. Additionally, she picked up another charge after getting into a physical altercation with another inmate while in custody. CCPD Wright Noel representing Marsh stated that his client did not realize how serious an offense it was when she did it and is genuinely concerned. Noel argued for probation for his client, noting that Marsh has already served 117 days on this charge. Judge Stockard charged the offense as a felony but granted probation on 28-48 months suspended sentence and placed her in the Western Regional Drug Court. Judge Stockard told Marsh, “Don’t take the wrong message from this – I could have easily sent you to prison. I hope you use this as an opportunity, and I do believe you will be successful.”
Clifton Jay Caffero appeared on multiple probation violations, the most being a recent arrest for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills stated that Caffero had been given several opportunities to deal with these issues and get them under control, which he has not done. “There have to be standards,” said Mills, who asked the court to revoke Caffero’s probation. Parole and Probation stated that Caffero has multiple violations, faced multiple sanctions, and continues to perform poorly under supervision. CCPD Jacob Sommer told the court that his client understands that his behavior didn’t meet the standards of a probationer as required but asked the court to consider reinstatement with placement in a long-term substance abuse treatment facility. Judge Stockard told Caffero his honesty was delightfully refreshing; however, he revoked Carrfero’s probation and imposed his underlying sentence. He was given credit for 261 days of time served.
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