Stephen Jacob Selstad pleaded guilty to the Category E Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance, which carries a potential penalty of 1-4 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. He also pleaded guilty to a Gross Misdemeanor charge of Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child Not Causing Substantial Mental or Bodily Harm. According to the factual basis given for the charges, Selstad was using Fentanyl while driving. During that time, a child (in a car seat) was in the vehicle and within reach of the Fentanyl. If Selstad is to be considered for probation on that charge, he must obtain a Psychological Risk Assessment before sentencing, which is set for April 30.
Jessop Reece Morrison appeared for sentencing on the Category E Felony of Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor, Controlled, or Prohibited Substance, a Third or Subsequent Offense. Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills asked for a 30-day continuance. Morrison has agreed to attend the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission treatment program and was placed under the supervision of Court Services. A status hearing was set for June 4.
Landon Dakota Mason did not appear for sentencing on the Category C Felony of Offer, Attempt, or Commission of an Unauthorized Act Relating to the Manufacture or Compounding of Certain Controlled Substances. His attorney, Steve Evenson Esq., told the court Mason went to Alabama last week and planned to be back Monday. However, he had a medical emergency while there and asked for a continuance. Judge Stockard said that while he was not questioning the legitimacy of Mason’s medical situation, “This is the tenth time we have been here for sentencing. I would say many of those were because of lack of preparation on his part.” Stockard set sentencing for April 16.
Cody Brandt Franklin appeared for sentencing on three category B felonies, each punishable by 1-6 years in prison: Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Possession or Ownership of a Weapon by Certain Prohibited Persons, and Coercion Through the Use of Physical Force or the Immediate Threat of Physical Force.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills reported that Franklin had graduated from the Salvation Army’s long-term residential treatment program, and they are allowing him to continue with after-care. This has to be weighed against the facts of this case involving a firearm, said Mills. Defense Attorney Evenson told the court that his client had a bad attitude at the beginning of this case. “I learned he had a history of a bad attitude, all relating to substance abuse. To his credit, this is not the same person with the bad attitude you have previously seen before you.” Evenson told the court Franklin wants to continue with the next phases of the program and asked Judge Stockard to consider probation under whatever terms and conditions he feels are appropriate, advocating for his client to remain in the Salvation Army program.”
Franklin received probation on three suspended sentences of 28-72 months in prison with the terms to run consecutively. Judge Stockard ordered Franklin to complete the second phase of the SA program and maintain full-time employment upon completion. “You are laying the foundation for a successful future,” Stockard said, “Just continue the good work.”
Kinsey May Chavez pleaded guilty to the Gross Misdemeanor of Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child Not Causing Substantial Mental or Bodily Harm, which carries a potential punishment of up to 364 days in jail. Chavez also pleaded guilty to the Misdemeanor charge of Driving while Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance, which carries a potential penalty of two days to six months in jail. Chavez was allegedly in control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated and wrecked with her daughter in the car. Chavez had a blood alcohol level of .135/.155. Judge Stockard set sentencing for May 7.
Romeo Blaze O’Brien did not appear for his arraignment. Judge Stockard issued a $10,000 cash-only warrant.
Donavon Robert Michael Lanfair, in custody, pleaded guilty to the Gross Misdemeanor charge of Conspiracy to Commit Battery While in Lawful Custody or Confinement, which carries a potential penalty of up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Lanfair allegedly forced violence upon another inmate while in custody at the Churchill County Jail. Lanfair was sentenced to 30 days in jail and received probation on a suspended sentence of 364 days. Upon release, he must also obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow the recommendations therein.
Amanda Kaye Brown, in custody, appeared for sentencing on the following four charges: 1) Category D Felony of Obtaining or Possessing a Credit Card or a Debit Card Identifying Description of a Credit Card, Credit Account, or Debit Card Without Consent; 2) Category E Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance; 3) Category D Felony of Offering False Evidence; and 4) Category C Felony of Conspiracy to Commit a Felony Crime Under the Uniform Controlled Substance Act.
DDA Chelsea Sanford told the court, “The defendant before you today is a user of people, and she has a very effective weapon. Her weapon of choice is other people’s sympathy and empathy for doing the greater good.” Sanford said that regarding the credit card case, it was not simply that Brown did not notify the victim that she was using his card; she was applying for cards in his name. His credit score went from 830 to under 400 as a result. Additionally, while released on her own recognizance, Brown forged medical paperwork regarding her son attempting to get out of drug testing with Court Services.
Wright Noel with the Churchill County Public Defender’s Office told the court, “As you can see from the number of cases before you today, Miss Brown has made a series of bad decisions.” He said sending her to prison would not help. Instead, he recommended dealing with the underlying concern of substance abuse. Noel said, “She’s done over 100 days in custody. That’s given her a lot of time to think about where she’s at.”
Judge Stockard placed Brown on probation on suspended consecutive sentences of 19-48 months on Counts 1 and 3, 12-36 months on Count 2, and 24-60 months on Count 4. Brown is to enter and complete the Empowerment Program. Failure to do so would be a non-technical violation, and the underlying sentences may be imposed. “Don’t take the wrong message from this,” Stockard told Brown, “Clearly you have a drug problem. And clearly, it affects your judgment. Not every drug user goes on sprees like this and does these types of things: criminal activities. And I want you to understand that sometimes we over-blame our own character flaws on substances.”
Trenton Jace Workman, in custody, admitted to Non-Technical Sentencing Violations involving offenses in Clark County. DDA Sanford asked the court to revoke Workman’s probation, pointing out that he was granted the privilege of probation at sentencing for a serious offense [burglary of a firearm reinstated after “messing up” while on probation]. Sandford asked for the underlying sentence to be imposed. “It’s time for him to pay and go to the Nevada Department of Corrections and understand that this type of behavior is not tolerated.”
CCPD Noel told the Court, “There is no question here that his conduct on probation was not as good as expected, and he’s admitted to that.” According to Noel, Workman has done some good things, like completing Drug Court, a serious program that takes dedication. He asked Judge Stockard to discharge Workman from probation dishonorably. “I don’t see that as a reward for Mr. Workman. I see it as a disappointment that all of us hoped would go better.”
Judge Stockard denied Noel’s request to discharge Workman, revoked his probation, and imposed the underlying sentence of 48-120 months in prison. Credit was given for 504 days of time served. The defendant was remanded to the Churchill County Sheriff for imposition of sentence.
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