Teresa Moon
John Frederick Gormley pleaded guilty to the Wobbler Charge of Killing or Possessing Certain Animals Without a Valid Tag; a Wobbler can be sentenced as either a Gross Misdemeanor (up to 365 days in the Churchill County Jail and a fine up to $2,000) or as a Category E Felony (1-4 years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine up to $5,000).
Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford said Gormley was in the residential Pioneer area, spooked a herd of deer, and then shot one. A few neighbors called law enforcement, to which he reported he had a deer tag. However, they found the tag was out of date, and his designated area was approximately 80 miles from where Gormley shot the deer. "He proudly told law enforcement, 'It's the coolest one I ever shot,'" Sanford said. "These tags are highly coveted and hard to come by," she continued. Sanford asked the court to order Gormley to have no contact with the neighbors who reported the incident.
Churchill County Public Defender (CCPD) Jacob Sommer pointed out that throughout the investigation, his client was extremely cooperative with law enforcement, stating he is a longtime resident of the area, employed full-time, and has no prior felony convictions. Sommer asked the court "to grant Mr. Gormley the privilege of being sentenced to a Gross Misdemeanor." Sommer stated his client deeply regrets the incident and wishes he could undo it. He believed he had permission to be on one of the parcels and did not intend to cause harm.
Gormley told the court he had lived in Nevada since he was a teenager and had not broken any laws until this incident. "I could chalk it up to like a frustration-type of deal." He explained he had made four trips to Reese River and had put 700-plus miles on his truck. "I just wanted to put something in the freezer, and that seemed to be the easiest way, but ultimately the wrong way. Of course, it will never happen again; I can promise you that."
Judge Stockard sentenced the case as a Gross Misdemeanor and ordered Gormley to pay a $500 fine plus a $750 Civil Penalty, to be paid within 90 days.
Bran Maynard Pierson pleaded guilty to the Category B Felony of Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance, a Third or Subsequent Offense, which is punishable by 1-6 years in prison and a fine of $2,000-$5,000. The charge also carries a mandatory prison sentence unless admitted into the DUI Diversion Program.
CCPD Jacob Sommer said Pierson is currently at Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission and will graduate from a substance abuse program in June. Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentencing Investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for Jul. 8.
Angel Marquel Watts, in custody, pleaded guilty to the Category B Felony of Battery That Constitutes Domestic Violence, a Third or Subsequent Offense, which is punishable by 1-6 years in prison and a fine of $1,000-$5,000. The charge carries a mandatory prison sentence. Judge Stockard ordered a PSI and set sentencing for Apr. 15.
Mikayla Sue Sherman, in custody, admitted to a Non-Technical Sentencing Violation.
In January, Sherman pleaded guilty to the Gross Misdemeanor of Conspiracy to Commit Possession of a Controlled Substance. Proceedings were suspended, and she was placed in the Western Regional Drug Court Program.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills stated, "Clearly there has to be some type of sanction for her… She found herself in a hole, and she kept digging."
CCPD Jacob Sommer shared that Sherman has been engaged in some of the resources available to inmates at the Churchill County Jail and has received certificates for 17 courses she has completed. However, he explained his client is not asking for probation reinstatement but for her underlying sentence to be imposed, concluding, "Consequences come when you don't comply."
Sherman said she has been working as a trustee at the jail, showing her what responsibility feels like and building her self-confidence. "I think that getting arrested this time was kind of a blessing in disguise," Sherman stated.
Judge Stockard revoked Sherman’s probation, sentenced her to 275 days in jail, and granted 174 days of credit for time served. He wished her good luck and encouraged her, stating, “Maybe you can get your GED while you’re there. It sounds like you have a plan. You know what you want to do. We’re all pulling for you.”
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