Teresa Moon
Jonathan Dale Keller, in custody, pleaded guilty to the gross misdemeanor of injuring or tampering with a vehicle causing $250 to $5,000 in damages, which is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford requested restitution of $800, which includes parts and labor. Sanford said Keller was walking around having mood swings, yelling vulgarities at people, crying, and then hitting and damaging random vehicles. The state believes supervision will be adequate "to ensure he commits no further violation and gets on the right path in life." Sanford asked for a maximum suspended sentence with the condition that Keller participates in a diversion program through Western Nevada Regional Drug Court.
Charles Woodman, Esq., defense counsel for Keller, told the court his client is forthcoming about issues he needs to address, has a healthy perspective on where he needs to go, and feels being on probation with specialty court would benefit him. Woodman argued for a suspended sentence of 60 to 90 days hanging over his client's head, saying he believed that would be sufficient.
Keller told Judge Stockard, "I know I've been very belligerent and very Neanderthalish, I guess you could say. Which I've not meant to be." Judge Stockard asked Keller about his future and what he would like to see. Keller said he hopes for a better future for himself. Stockard replied, "The beautiful thing is the future is unwritten. You get to write it."
Keller received a year's probation on a suspended sentence of 364 days. He must obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow the recommendations, and he must pay $800 restitution at $100 per month. Stockard ordered him to remain in custody until his first Drug Court appearance.
Richard Edward Wayne Harrison, in custody, pleaded guilty to the Category D felony of reckless driving causing death or substantial bodily harm, which is punishable by one to six years in prison and a fine of $2,000 to $5,000. Judge Stockard ordered a pre-sentencing investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for December 31.
Matthew Bernard Williams appeared for violating the terms of his pretrial release. Court Services Director Brenda Ingram reported Williams was permitted to do a drug test in Reno; however, he had failed to do so. Judge Stockard modified the conditions of Williams' release, requiring him to submit proof to the court by 4 p.m. explaining the missed September 6 test. If Williams fails to comply, he must turn himself in immediately. Further, Williams must test daily, turn himself in upon positive tests, attend all hearings in person, and arrive 15 minutes early. Judge Stockard stated he would set a cash-only $50,000 bail should Williams violate any of the conditions. Williams pleaded not guilty to Category B Felony Battery with a Deadly Weapon Causing Substantial Bodily Harm on June 4 after allegedly punching or hitting another individual while holding a rock. His trial begins November 18.
Jolean Marie Boag appeared for a review hearing on an original charge of a Category C Felony of Non-Support of a Spouse, Former Spouse, or a Child. The court consented to amending the charge if she kept her payments current for 12 months.
Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker told the court that Boag has become current with her child support after a rocky start. Therefore, the state amended the complaint to the gross misdemeanor charge of Conspiracy to Commit the Crime of Non-Support of a Child, which is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
Boag pleaded guilty to the amended charge. Judge Stockard imposed fees, assessments, and a $2,000 fine, which he suspended for one year on the condition that she remain current with her child support payments.
Paul Albert Shultz appeared for sentencing for Gross Misdemeanor of Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child Not Causing Substantial Bodily or Mental Harm, to which he entered an Alford plea in August, which allows him to maintain his innocence while accepting the penalties associated with a guilty plea. The court had a psychological risk assessment by Dr. Hixon-Brenenstall, which concluded that Shultz is at low risk of reoffending and makes him probation-eligible.
DDA Priscilla Baker explained the matter: "This case has some very serious charges. Those charges involve a 5-year-old girl." Baker said the mother of the victim did not want to put her young child through the trauma of going to court; however, she would like Shultz restricted from being around children. "The evidence presented was that this 5-year-old disclosed that Mr. Paul tried to make her touch his privates over his clothing," Baker stated, asking the court to impose a sentence that would hold him accountable for those actions.
Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer told the court that his client maintains he did nothing wrong. Further, Sommer said Shultz is an Arizona resident, is at low risk of reoffending, has no prior criminal history, and has retired from the military. When asking the court to impose a fine, Sommer stated, "He has shown in every aspect that he is cooperative, that he is responsible, that he's honest."
Judge Stockard inquired about Hixon-Brenenstall's recommendations regarding counseling. Sommer replied that Shultz thinks counseling could be good and beneficial to him. Shultz said he has learned a lot about the judicial system and is not opposed to counseling, noting there is a VA clinic near where he lives off the grid in Arizona.
Judge Stockard imposed fees, assessments, and a $2,000 fine to be paid in full within six months. Stockard told Shultz, "I am concerned about the allegations… I look very seriously at what you've been convicted of… I would really encourage you to go back and read those recommendations, especially the ones about counseling."
Continuances:
- Matthew P. Beyer's arraignment was continued to October 29.
- Nathaniel Arnold Slaamot's sentencing violation hearings continued until December 3.
- Travis Wade Souza's sentencing violation hearing continued until October 29.
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