George Dean Joyner, in the custody of Churchill County Sheriff's Office, appeared for sentencing on a charge of Buying, Possessing, Receiving, or Withholding Stolen Property valued between $1,200 and $5,000. The offense is a Category D Felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison.
According to Assistant District Attorney Chelsea Sanford, on Feb 21, 2022, Trina Reddy was heading to check on her father's property located west of town on the Carson Highway. Upon approaching the property entrance, she noticed two men in a vehicle who had stopped at the gate and were about to exit the property. She asked the men what they were doing. Joyner told Reddy that it was his uncle's place. She informed Joyner and his counterpart that this was not true because it was her father's place, who had recently passed away. Reddy then followed the two men, who were tossing various items taken from the property out of the windows as they fled. Reddy called law enforcement which led to Joyner's arrest.
Sanford asked the court to sentence Joyner to 18-45 months in prison, stating that his behavior is unacceptable and that he needs to be held accountable.
According to his attorney, Churchill County Public Defender Wright Noel, Joyner was in possession of stolen property that he either knew or should have known was stolen. However, the codefendant in the case had asked Joyner to help pick up some items from an abandoned property. According to Noel, Joyner had no idea that the items they were taking were being stolen. He was told that what remained on the property would otherwise be hauled to the dump.
Joyner told the court that he did not realize that he was "stealing" and believed he was helping load the items. He said he considered walking away when he realized things weren't as they seemed, but they were miles from town. Joyner also explained that he has been struggling with addiction, which has worsened after being shot and set on fire last year during a tragic incident that left two other individuals fatally wounded. Joyner apologized for his participation in the incident and said he was genuinely sorry.
Reddy provided victim impact testimony in which she explained that she was in town to deal with her father's estate after his recent passing. Before the incident with Joyner, other things from the property had been stolen, including a motorhome, catalytic converters, tools, and various items of value.
According to Reddy, Joyner and his partner cut out the back of a 1953 antique motor home - through paneling and frame, to get a muffler. Additionally, her medications were taken, along with a pair of pink socks, and the camping stove given to her by her father when she was nine. "They rifled through my things," said Reddy, "even my undergarments."
Reddy has had to install a surveillance system and is hoping there isn't a "next time." She was very shaken by this event, which occurred during a difficult time in her life. "You wronged me," Reddy said to Joyner. "It doesn't matter if you are in the middle of nowhere. You should walk a mile and a half - even more, to walk away and do the right thing." She told the court that she hopes this helps get Joyner on the straight and narrow.
Judge Stockard said he considered probation but did not feel it was appropriate in this case. He sentenced Joyner to 12-48 months in prison and $300 in restitution. Joyner received 51 days credit for time served. Stockard said he considered probation but did not feel it was appropriate in this case.
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