The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, Sept. 15, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, Sept. 15, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

Clayton Shelby Reynolds appeared for Court Services violations. Court Services Director Brenda Ingram told the Court Reynolds missed one drug test and later tested positive for amphetamines and methamphetamine.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker said Reynolds had not been participating in Drug Court as required and, with the additional violations, the State believed he should be remanded until sentencing.

Senior Deputy Public Defender Jeffery Weed said his client had been participating and completed an evaluation but misunderstood his obligations with Drug Court.

“Testing means testing, drug court means drug court; you don’t miss … these orders have to mean something,” Judge Stockard told Reynolds.

“I know,” Reynolds replied.

“Apparently you don't,” Stockard said and ordered Reynolds to be tested that day; he tested negative. Stockard imposed two days in jail and ordered Reynolds to continue Court Services supervision and set sentencing for Oct. 13.

April Ann Gilliland pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Category E felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison.

Judge Stockard set sentencing for Oct. 27 and provisionally placed Gilliland in the Western Nevada Regional Specialty Court. She will remain under Court Services supervision with daily check-ins and random testing.

Susan Lynch admitted to a nontechnical sentencing violation for being released from Drug Court without completing the program. Judge Stockard noted the release was due to medical reasons.

Stockard modified Lynch’s probation to remove the Drug Court requirement.

Kevin Jay Chico, in custody, elected not to appear for a status hearing. Chico has declined to appear for several scheduled hearings and, at his arraignment the previous week, refused to engage in the proceedings or enter pleas. Judge Stockard entered not guilty pleas on his behalf and set trial for Oct. 7-9.

Following a lengthy discussion of the history of the case, Stockard vacated the Oct. 7-9 trial date and set a new trial for Oct. 28-29.

Based on concerns raised by the Court, the State, and the Defense, Stockard ordered a new competency evaluation.

Dean Patrick McGee, in custody, pleaded not guilty to Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance with a Prior Conviction for Driving Under the Influence, a Category B felony punishable by 2-15 years in prison and a fine of $2,000-$5,000. The offense requires a mandatory prison sentence.

Judge Stockard set trial for Oct. 7-9.

Sky Blu Slater, in custody, was arraigned on a charge of Intimidating a Public Officer without threat or force. He pleaded guilty to the gross misdemeanor, which carries a potential penalty of 364 days in jail and/or a fine of not more than $2,000.

Sentencing was set for Oct. 27; Slater was provisionally admitted into the Western Nevada Regional Specialty Court and was placed under Court Services supervision. 

Foxx Russell Kruse, in custody, pleaded no contest to Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or an Illegal or Prohibited Substance Causing Death, with a Prior Conviction for Driving Under the Influence, a Category B felony punishable by 5-25 years in prison and a fine of $2,000-$5,000. The offense requires a mandatory prison sentence.

The State said it would be prepared to prove that Kruse drove while under the influence and caused the death of another person.

Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation and set sentencing for Nov. 17.

Jeremy Lee Morton, in custody, admitted to a nontechnical sentencing violation for failing to enter and complete the Western Nevada Regional Specialty/Drug Court program, among other violations.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker asked the court to revoke Morton’s probation, saying he repeatedly violated the conditions of probation. Baker said Morton had seven positive and eight missed drug tests and was ultimately discharged from Drug Court. According to Baker, there was lack of engagement, a lack of accountability, and lack of progression.

Public Defender Jacob Sommer said his client “of course regrets the behavior that put him in the chair next to me today.” Sommer said Morton recognizes it is “his responsibility, and his alone, to fill the obligations that probation imposes.” He added that Morton believed he could be a good probationer if the court granted him the privilege of reinstatement.

Morton apologized and told the court he had reinstated his fire suppression license and would be able to find employment.

Judge Stockard revoked Morton’s probation and imposed the underlying sentence of 19-48 months in prison for Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine). Morton was remanded to the custody of the sheriff’s office.

Rocky Wells, in custody, denied a nontechnical sentencing violation relating to directives, conduct, and laws.

Judge Stockard set an evidentiary hearing for Oct. 5 at 1:30 p.m.

LaTanya Karimu Stiner, who was arrested in May on a charge of Embezzlement of $25,000 to less than $100,000, appeared with her attorney, Charles Woodman. Judge Stockard noted that both Woodman and Stiner had filed motions regarding Woodman’s withdrawal as counsel and said Stiner’s history with counsel “is interesting, to say the least.”

Stockard explained that Jeffery Weed previously represented Stiner before a conflict was declared. Stiner then retained Joey Gilbert, who later returned her fee and withdrew. Woodman was subsequently appointed to represent her.

Stockard asked Stiner what she wanted the court to do.

“I would like a public defender who will actually give me the discovery,” Stiner replied.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford told the court the state had provided the Defense with all discovery. Woodman said he had disclosed to Stiner all the information the Defense had received. He further explained that Stiner believes she can give her attorney orders and expects them to be carried out “Now, if not yesterday.”

Stockard granted Woodman’s request to withdraw. A new public defender will be assigned, and the case was continued to Sept. 29.

Chad Austin Jenkins was not present for his scheduled hearings.

Attorney Charles Woodman said Jenkins had been released to enter treatment but walked away from the program and has not been heard from since.

Judge Stockard issued a no-bail warrant.

Reuben Job Conkle’s sentencing was continued to Sept. 22.

Louis Samuel Afraidofhawk’s sentencing was continued to Sept. 22.