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District Court News

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, May 23, 2022, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.
District Court News

Brett Michael Sellers, in custody, appeared with Churchill County Public Defender (CCPD) Jacob Sommer and pled guilty to a charge of Failure to appear after Admission to Bail or Release Without Bail (FTA), a Category B Felony that carries 1-4 years in prison. According to Sommer, on January 21, 2020, Sellers did not appear for a scheduled hearing arrangement on a separate charge stemming from a 2019 arrest, which is still pending. He is scheduled to be arraigned on that matter on June 28, with sentencing scheduled for August 16 on the FTA charge. Sommers asked the Court to release Sellers on his own recognizance (OR), which Judge Stockard granted with the provision of Court Services supervision.

Benjamin Franking Pascoe, in custody, was scheduled to appear on an arraignment. CCPD Wright Noel requested a two-week continuance, which was granted.

Mario Enrique Lopez, in custody, pled guilty to Abuse Neglect or Endangerment of a Child not Causing Substantial Bodily Harm, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail. According to CCPD Noel, his client was responsible for caring for a minor child and became intoxicated to the point that care was compromised. The court provisionally placed Lopez into the Western Regional Drug Court program pending sentencing on August 17. Lopez will be released from custody until after his first appearance in Drug Court on May 24.

Rick Lewis Chapman, in custody, appeared on a probation violation for absconding from Parole & Probation, and to be arraigned on charges of Driving Under the Influence, a Third or Subsequent Offense, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison. Lewis admitted to violating the terms of his probation and pled guilty to the DUI. A third or subsequent DUI conviction within seven years in Nevada carries a mandatory prison sentence unless the court grants admittance to the DUI Diversion Program. According to CCPD Jacob Sommer, on May 3, his client was under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating substance above the legal limit. In this case, the suspected substance was methamphetamine. Judge Stockard granted provisional placement in the DUI program and approved his release from custody after his first appearance in DUI Court on May 24.

Troy Michaels Jock, in custody, pled guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Grand Larceny of a Firearm and Conspiracy to Commit Burglary with a Firearm or Deadly Weapon. Both charges are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to 364 days in jail. According to Steve Evenson, Esq., retained counsel for Jock, his client conspired with another person to commit grand larceny of a firearm and conspired with another to commit a burglary of a residence with a firearm. He is also waiting for sentencing on felony drug possession charges in Humboldt County. According to Evenson, Jock was part of the group of individuals that burglarized the home of Anthony Giove and Michelle Bates, stealing approximately 19 guns, ammunition, and damaged property in the garage where the guns were stored. However, he was not a major principal in the incident. The resolution reached between Jock and the state called for probation and Drug Court. ADA Priscilla Baker, who noted the state agreed that probation and Drug Court were appropriate in Jock’s case, stated that the alleged major culprit in the case, Nathanial Belingheri, recruited Jock at the last minute. Additionally, the majority of the firearms were recovered. Anthony Giove, the elderly owner of the home and former chief of the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribal Police, offered victim impact testimony telling the court that he has never “not felt safe until now,” citing his 25-year military career, 20 years in law enforcement, and his life in New York City. Michelle Bates, who lives with Giove, also provided victim testimony. Bates shared that approximately 16 of the stolen guns were hers and her late husband’s. “We don’t feel that safe anymore,” she said. Three of the unrecovered guns held deep sentimental value to Bates, and she was very concerned about restitution and the replacement of the guns. Judge Stockard granted Jock probation on two 364-day jail terms for each count with the provision that he enter and successfully complete the Winnemucca Drug Court Program. He must also pay $2,400 in restitution, paid jointly with other alleged persons.

Jesse Gilbert, in custody, appeared for an arraignment with his retained attorney, Steve Evenson, Esq. Gilbert pled not guilty to two charges: Ex-felon not to Possession a Firearm, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison, and Possession of a Controlled Substance – Low Level, a Category C Felony punishable by 1-5 years. Gilbert is currently held on a $50,000 cash-only bond set forth in Justice Court. Gilbert invoked his right to a speedy trial with the matter to be heard by a jury. The trial was set for July 13.

 

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