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Friday, November 29, 2024 at 10:40 AM
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District Court News

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, May 17, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.
District Court News

Dylan Christopher Hudson pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit the Using or Obtaining the Identifying Information of Another Person to Harm that Person or Another Unlawful Purpose, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail. Hudson received a suspended sentence of 90 days in the Churchill Jail and a fine of $500.

Daniel Gomez-Rodriguez, a resident of California, appeared for sentencing with his interpreter Maria C. Davis. Gomez-Rodrigues previously pled guilty 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 Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills, on September 14, 2021, Gomez-Rodriguez claims that he was on his way back from a trip to Wyoming when the incident occurred. He was tired, had already been stopped several times, and did not want to stop again. “He led our highway patrol on a high-speed chase through our county, putting the motoring public at risk and eventually going off-road a little bit north of town,” said Mills. “Eventually he got stopped and started a fire, which our fire department had to put out.” According to Mills, Gomez-Rodriguez had no good reason for doing this except not wanting to stop. “This conduct cannot be tolerated,” Mills continued and asked the court to sentence Gomez-Rodriguez to 12-32 months in prison or a suspended sentence with a fine imposed of $3,000. Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer told the court that he was blown away between the person Daniel Gomez and the person facing the allegations against him. “He has no meaningful criminal history,” said Sommer.” He’s employed, he has a family, and has appeared at all his hearings even though he lives in California. And even though insurance did not pay for the fire damage, Mr. Gomez is still paying his obligations on that vehicle. These are actions of responsibility that I did not expect to see.” Sommer asked the court to seriously consider probation and made no objections to the fine proposed by the State. Sommer further stated that he believed that his client’s actions were out of character and were likely just the product of him being tired and scared. Gomez-Rodriguez asked the court’s forgiveness for his actions and said that even though one of his sons passed away, he still came back to attend all his hearings because he felt it was his responsibility. He explained that he had been stopped several times when law enforcement searched his vehicle for weapons and drugs, neither of which were in his car nor had been. He offered an apology to the court and Churchill County. Gomez-Rodriguez received probation on a suspended sentence of 24-60 months in prison and a fine of $5,000. His probation will transfer to California as soon as an interstate compact is approved, and he must remain in Nevada until that time. 

 

Thomas Scott Walla, in the custody of the Nevada Department of Corrections, appeared for a status hearing on a charge of 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.

A procedural question arose over the time credited for time served at sentencing, causing the court to reexamine Walla’s Judgement of Conviction. According to CCPD Jacob Sommer, upon reviewing the law, the 152 days of credit granted at sentencing would be forfeited as Walla was on probation on another case when he was charged with his most recent DUI. A new Judgement of Conviction will be entered into the record to reflect the change, and Walla will not receive credit for his 152 days in custody.

 

Jonathon Wayne Brown, in custody, appeared for a status hearing. Both attorneys present, Steve Evenson, Esq. for Brown, and ADA Chelsea Sanford for the State, reported difficulty communicating with Brown’s Reno attorney, representing him on other felony charges there. According to Evenson, entering a plea here could negatively impact Brown’s case in Washoe County. Brown pled not guilty last August on charges of (1) Kidnapping in the Second Degree, (2) Battery That Constitutes Domestic Violence Committed by Strangulation, (3) Kidnapping in the Second Degree, (4) False Imprisonment, and (5) Coercion that Constitutes Domestic Violence. Judge Stockard set the matter for trial on August 24-26.

 

Mathew Joseph Hammar, in custody, was arraigned on two separate cases. Hammer changed his not guilty plea to guilty on a 2021 Burglary charge, which is a Category B Felony punishable by 1-10 years in prison. Hammar also entered a guilty plea for Failure to Appear after Admission to Bail, a Category D Felony, punishable by 1-4 years. According to CCPD Wright Noel, Hammar recently had his probation revoked in Lyon County and will have to serve his underlying prison sentence in that case. The court set sentencing for June 7, where the victim is expected to provide victim impact testimony on the burglary charge.

Robert Mark Havens, in custody, appeared for sentencing. Havens was originally facing charges of (1) DUI Second Offense, (2) Possessing a Firearm While Under the Influence of Alcohol, (3) Driving without a Valid Driver’s License, (4) Buy, Possess, Receive or Withhold Stolen Property (5) Petit Larceny, and (6) Residential Burglary, a first offense. According to ADA Priscilla Baker, Havens was arrested on a DUI while under suspicion of burglarizing the old Cock ‘n Bull Restaurant on South Taylor Street. Havens was found with stolen items, including a stove and a cash register, and was in possession of a firearm. Baker stated that Havens has had multiple opportunities for substance abuse treatment and even graduated from Drug Court in Carson City. Additionally, he violated the terms of his supervision after being granted release on his own recognizance and then failed to appear for a scheduled court appearance. Baker asked the judge to impose two consecutive prison sentences of 12-32 months. CCPD Jacob Sommer explained that his client has wrestled with addiction and continues to battle with its effects. Despite his client’s difficulty, he believes he still desires to get on top of his addiction. “Mr. Havens knows he messed this up. Big time. And he is not alone in his struggle,” said Sommer. “He does want to get whole, stay clean, and he has applied for a number of treatment programs,” Sommer asked the court to consider probation and deferred sentencing to allow Havens to be admitted into the Salvation Army long-term residential treatment program. Havens told the court that he particularly wants to attend the Salvation Army program because it is faith base and what he feels he needs. “I am sorry,” said Havens, who told the court that he needed to make changes for the sake of his daughter. “I hope I am given a shot.” Stockard considered deferred sentencing and told Havens that he felt that the sentence the state was asking for was light considering his criminal history and failed treatment attempts. “I probably would not have taken the state’s recommendation and sentenced you to more. But I am going to give you that shot.” Stockard shared with Havens some of the extreme difficulties ahead for him, both as a father and as a recovering addict, but told him that many people do overcome their addiction. Stockard deferred sentencing for Havens and set a status hearing for December to review his progress.

 

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