District Court June 25

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, June 25, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.   

 Brittany Nicole Sanchez, in custody, pleaded guilty to a Gross Misdemeanor charge of Possession of a Dangerous Drug without a Prescription, which carries a potential penalty of 364 days in Churchill County Jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Justin Oakes, Esq., defense counsel for Sanchez, asked that she be released immediately and transported to New Frontier for 30-day inpatient substance abuse treatment. According to Oakes, she has been accepted but does not yet have a bed date. Judge Stockard provisionally placed Sanchez in the Western Regional Drug Court (WRDC) program and set sentencing for August 20.  

 Christopher Alan Burnside, in custody, entered an Alford Plea to a Category D Felony of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, which carries a potential penalty of 1-6 years in Nevada State Prison and a fine up to $5,000. Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills said the state was prepared to prove this defendant did, using a knife, place another person in reasonable apprehension or fear of bodily harm. Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentencing Investigation (PSI), and sentencing was set for August 27.  (Pictured right).

 Austin Taylor Dyer, in custody, pleaded guilty to 1) Gross Misdemeanor of Conspiracy to Commit Burglary (conspired with another person to commit vehicle burglary) punishable by up to 364 in jail and a fine up to $2,000; and 2) Category E Felony of Burglary of a Motor Vehicle (entered a vehicle with the intent to commit petit larceny or a felony) which is punishable by 1-4 years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentencing Investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for August 27.  

  James Lewis Greene, Jr. pleaded guilty to a Category D Felony of Battery that Constitutes Domestic Violence, a third or subsequent offense. This charge carries a mandatory prison sentence of 1-6 years and a fine of $1,000-$5,000. If found guilty, Greene will also lose his right to possess or own firearms. According to the factual basis provided, Greene did batter his girlfriend after having at least two prior Battery/Domestic Violence convictions. Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentencing Investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for August 27.  

 Jayden Allen Joseph Ketelaar pleaded guilty to the Wobbler charge of Attempt to Commit Burglary of a Business, which can be sentenced as a Gross Misdemeanor or a Category D Felony. According to the factual basis, Ketelaar took cash from a slot machine but did not place the bet. Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentencing Investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for September 3.

 Angelina Ferguson pleaded guilty to the Wobbler charge of Attempting to Fail to Stop on the Signal of a Police Officer while Under the Influence, which can be sentenced as either a Gross Misdemeanor or a Category E Felony. The factual basis stated that Ferguson attempted to drive her car while intoxicated and did not pull over when an officer activated his lights and siren. A PSI was ordered, and sentencing was set for September 3.   

 Patrick Michael Mineard, Jr. pleaded guilty to a Gross Misdemeanor charge of Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child Not Causing Substantial Bodily or Mental Harm, which carries a potential penalty of up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. The factual basis stated that Mineard operated a motor vehicle while intoxicated with two minor children in the car. Sentencing was set for September 3.

 Tyrell Raphael Franklin appeared for sentencing on the Category D Felony of Arson in the Third Degree. Alternate Churchill County Public Defender Wright Noel asked Judge Stockard to allow Franklin to enter the WRDC specialty court program, in which Franklin indicated he was interested. Stockard suspended proceedings and placed Franklin on probation for 24 months, placing him in Specialty Court.

Wesley Carlin Scott appeared for sentencing on DUI, third offense. Scott was reported to be doing well with the ankle monitor that detects blood alcohol levels, doing well in counseling, and in the DUI diversion program, where he was provisionally placed. The defense asked that Scott be officially ordered to complete the program. Scott said he would be thankful for the opportunity to do the diversion program. Judge Stockard granted the request and placed Scott on probation for 36 months.

  Jessica Kay Collins admitted to a Non-Technical Probation Violation after being charged with a new criminal offense. Charles Woodman, Esq., defense counsel for Collins, told the court that per plea negations with the state, Collins’ new charge was reduced to a misdemeanor (delaying an officer). He asked that she be allowed to remain on probation. Judge Stockard consented, sentencing Collins to serve 13 days in jail and granting credit for the 13 days she had just served. Stockard ordered Collin’s release from custody.

 Sara Michelle Jones admitted to the Non-Technical sentencing violation of absconding in September of 2022 after being granted probation in 2021 on the Category D Felonies of Forgery and Obtaining or Possessing a Credit Card Without Consent.  PD Wright Noel asked for a continuance, as he was only recently assigned the case. Judge Stockard continued the matter to July 9.

 FTAs and Continuances 

Alisha Nicole Dodge failed to appear for her sentencing on the Category E Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance. A $25,000 bench warrant was issued.   

 Jordan Adam Cunningham’s Status Hearing was continued to August 13.  

 Taylor James John Vaughn appeared via Zoom from the McDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield, Connecticut, for a Status Hearing on a case from 2021. The matter was continued.