District Court - August 20

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, August 20, with Judge Thomas Stockard Presiding. 

Edward Lee Flores pleaded guilty to the Gross Misdemeanor of Intimidating a Public Officer Without Threat or Force, which is punishable by 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker told the court, “This defendant was highly intoxicated. Officers checked on him and decided that, based on his level of intoxication, they needed to take him into protective custody. Flores then told the officer he was going to show up on his doorstep, admitted it was a threat, and he was challenging the officer to fight. Baker said he has an extensive history centered around alcohol and asked the court to impose a sentence that will encourage sobriety.    

Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer said Flores is a good person when he is not drinking alcohol, but he has struggles and could benefit from help. Sommer asked for a suspended sentence with the condition of Western Nevada Regional Specialty Court. Flores told the court, “I agree with everything he said; I am sorry about my intoxicated behavior.” He received probation on a suspended sentence of 220 days in jail, and he must obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation and follow the recommendations.

Jesse Dalton Cogle appeared for sentencing on Count I) the Gross Misdemeanor of Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child Not Causing Substantial Bodily or Mental Harm; and Count II) Misdemeanor of Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance, a Second Offense. DDA Baker acknowledged Cogle’s Psychological Risk Assessment which showed he was not at a high risk to offend. The assessment is required for the court to consider probation on the Child Endangerment charge. Baker explained the defendant was pulled over for a traffic violation when it was noted there was a seven-year-old child in the car and that Cogle registered blood alcohol levels of .241 and .233.

Cogle is gainfully employed and has completed the Victim Impact Panel and DUI School. He apologized, stating, “I know what I did was wrong; it was a major lapse of judgment… I let my demons get the best of me.” On Count I, he received a suspended sentence of 364 days. On Count II, Cogle was fined the statutory $750 and 10 days in jail. He must install a breath interlock device on any vehicle he drives for 12 months.

Amber Lynn Krenzxavier, in custody, pleaded guilty to the Gross Misdemeanor of Throwing a Substance at or Willfully Damaging a Bicycle or Motor Vehicle with $250 to $5,000 Damage, which is punishable by 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. Krenzxavier threw a rock at two separate vehicles, causing damage to both.  Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills said Krenzxavier has a fairly extensive criminal history and that she was sentenced last week in Justice Court on charges that occurred after this case which include trespass, assault, and destruction of property. According to Mills, she threw a baseball bat at a person. Mills said that in this case here, the defendant is the ex of one of the victims, and there is a restraining order currently in place. He asked for a sentence to assure the victims that they could enjoy peace in their homes, knowing their kids were safe in the yard and that they would not have to look over their shoulders.

CCPD Jacob Sommer told the court that his client has had a lot of time to think about her behavior and she deeply regrets the conduct that got her here and knows it was inappropriate. Sommer explained her divorce was very hard on her emotionally. Krenzxavier said she is embarrassed and takes responsibility for her actions, stating, “I regret my actions and wish I could take them back…I relapsed briefly after my divorce.” The victims were present; however, they did not wish to testify. Krenzxavier received a suspended 364-day jail sentence to run consecutively to the sentence in her Justice Court case. She must pay $515.69 and $1,255.09 restitution and have no contact with either victim.

Paul Albert Shultz, in custody, pleaded guilty per Alford to Gross Misdemeanor Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child Not Causing Substantial Bodily or Mental Harm, which is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. An Alford Plea allows a defendant to enter a guilty plea while maintaining innocence.  DDA Priscilla Baker told the court that the state would be able to prove that Shultz was babysitting a 5-year-old and placed her in a situation that put her at risk of endangerment. However, a Psychological Risk Assessment found he was not at high risk of reoffending. 

CCPD Sommer asked Judge Stockard to release Shultz on his own recognizance (OR) under Court Services supervision, explaining there were substantial problems with the evidence in this case. He said Shultz has been in custody since April and did not realize there was a warrant. Sommer said the defendant has no criminal record and will return from Arizona, where he resides, for his risk assessment. Baker expressed concerns regarding Shultz living out of state, noting that they already extradited him once. Stockard granted the OR, ordered no contact with the victim or their family, and set sentencing for October 22.

Christopher Alan Burnside, in custody, appeared for sentencing on the Category D Felony of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, to which he pled guilty per Alford in June. DDA Lane Mills said Burnside’s criminal history was lengthy and asked for a sentence that reinforces this kind of conduct is not tolerated in Churchill County. Alternate Churchill County Public Defender Wright Noel told the court, “From our side of the table here, I think this case involved some inappropriate conduct by Mr. Burnside, but also, I think, a bit of a misunderstanding here.” Noel explained that the client was involved in an altercation at Louie’s Hardware; he went outside, was frustrated, and acted aggressively. He pulled a knife, but not to anyone in particular. Noel added that Burnside wasn’t trying to threaten anyone, but he was near the victims, and he scared them; he apologized to the victims. Noel noted the defendant had spent 142 days in jail and asked for probation. Burnside apologized for his actions and said he plans to get a job and his own place. Burnside received probation on a suspended sentence of 16-60 months in jail, was ordered to obtain a substance abuse evaluation, and must have no contact with the victims.

 Frederick Raymond Dudley failed to appear for sentencing on the Category B Felony of Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance with a Prior Felony Conviction for DUI. A $25,000 cash-only bench warrant was issued.