District Court Oct. 27

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened on Oct. 27 in Fallon with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding. 

Mario Alberto Antunez-Morales pleaded guilty to a charge of Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child Not Causing Physical Harm, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000.

Antunez-Morales must undergo a risk assessment that must conclude he is not at a high risk to reoffend and must be presented to the court for him to be eligible for probation.

Sentencing was set for Jan. 19, 2027, to allow time for the defense to obtain the assessment.

Justin Allen Santana pleaded guilty to Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

The factual basis provided by the defense was that Santana grabbed a dumbbell and hovered over the victim while threatening to kill her.

Churchill County Deputy Public Defender Kenny Tedford explained that his client has an infant child in intensive care in Las Vegas; therefore, he would like to move to Clark County. The defense has been working on finding drug and alcohol testing in Clark County. Santana has been clean and sober and has received his 90-day Alcoholics Anonymous chip.

Judge Stockard ordered testing at American Toxicology in Clark County every two weeks, noting Santana is responsible for the cost of the testing.

Judge Stockard ordered a presentence investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for Jan. 12, 2027.

William Kimo Lysaght appeared for sentencing on the wobbler charge of Attempt to Commit Convicted Sex Offender Violating Registration, to which he pleaded guilty Aug. 25.

A question arose regarding an arrest listed in the PSI. Judge Stockard continued sentencing to Nov. 17 to allow the Division of Parole and Probation to investigate the matter.

Lydia Ann Page Chenoweth appeared for sentencing on Ownership or Possession of a Firearm by Certain Prohibited Persons, a Category B Felony, to which she pleaded guilty Aug. 25.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford said that, pursuant to the plea agreement, the state did not oppose a suspended sentence of 12-48 months in prison, with the conditions that Chenoweth pay $500 in restitution and successfully complete the Western Nevada Regional Specialty Court.

Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer agreed with Sanford's recommendation. Sommer told Judge Stockard, “My client is happy to be working full time right now; she's pleased with how that is going. Things are looking good.”

Judge Stockard granted probation on a suspended 19-48 month sentence. Additionally, he ordered Chenoweth to complete Specialty Court, obtain a substance abuse evaluation, follow all recommendations, and pay $500 in restitution at $100 a month.

A review hearing was set for Oct. 26, 2027.

Candice Lee Scollard, in custody, appeared for a review hearing following her reinstatement on probation on Oct. 13, when she was ordered to remain in custody until her interstate compact with California was approved.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker told the court that the Division of Parole and Probation had reported that California again denied the compact because of disqualifying issues involving Scollard's proposed residence.

Sommer proposed allowing Scollard another opportunity to obtain approval of the interstate compact by applying as homeless.

Baker expressed concern about the lack of a plan for Scollard's supervision and housing. She noted that the compact had been denied multiple times and that Scollard had not completed any probation requirements while in Nevada.

“There needs to be a plan. There isn't a plan,” Baker said. The state requested that Scollard serve the remainder of her sentence and be dishonorably discharged from probation.

After briefly conferring with Scollard, Sommer proposed that she serve 45 days in jail, followed by a dishonorable discharge from probation.

Judge Stockard reinstated Scollard on probation and ordered her to serve 45 days in the Churchill County jail, after which she will be dishonorably discharged from probation.

Georgina Brown was not present for her scheduled status hearing. Judge Stockard continued the hearing to Nov. 3.