Justice Court for January 12

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, January 12, 2021, with Judge Tom Stockard presiding.   

Marvin Duane Phoenix Sr. entered a guilty plea on a charge of battery causing substantial bodily harm, a category C felony that carries a potential penalty of 1-5 years in prison. According to Jacob Sommer, public defender for Phoenix, on July 6th, 2020, he threw a glass beer bottle at an individual, striking the victim in the head and causing prolonged physical pain. A pre-sentencing investigation was ordered, and Phoenix will appear for sentencing on April 20th.   

Rachael Viola Duran pled guilty on a charge of being a principal to injury of property, a gross misdemeanor, which can carry up to 364 days in jail. As per the factual basis provided by her public defender, Wright Noel, she did damage to a vehicle while legally borrowing it. According to Duran, the vehicle belonged to her stepfather and damage was done when she attempted to retrieve the keys that were locked inside. The damage was approximately $3,900, which was covered by the vehicle owner’s insurance. Duran received probation.   

Brandon Lee Heckathorn entered a guilty plea for possession of LSD, a controlled substance (a first or second offense). The charge is a category E felony with a potential penalty of 1-4 years in prison. Probation was granted and Heckathorn placed in the Western Regional Drug Court program.  
Tawnie June Miller was scheduled for sentencing but did not appear in court. According to her defense attorney, David Neidert, Esq., Miller has not been checking in with Court Services. Additionally, she currently has a bench warrant for failing to appear for court in Reno. Judge Stockard ordered $100,000 cash only bail. In October, Miller pled no contest on two fraud charges which include uttering a forged instrument (the making, forging, or altering an item in an intent to defraud). Both counts carry 1-4 years in prison. Count three included obtaining and using the personal identifying information of another person to harm or impersonate them, or for other unlawful purposes. One victim listed in the complaint is elderly, thus enhancing the potential penalty that otherwise carries 3-20 years in prison. Miller initially pled guilty to the charges on October 13th, then changed her plea to no-contest later that month.