Roland Isaac Zamora appeared on several Court Services violations. The allegations state that Zamora took extended trips out of the area, missed several drug tests, and has been taking advantage of the allowances given by Court Services. Churchill County Public Defender (CCPD) Wright Noel, counsel for Zamora, stated the most recent missed test was due to his car breaking down while his client was out of state. Zamora provided receipts showing the breakdown occurred on Sunday and was repaired on Tuesday, after which he returned to Nevada, immediately testing clean. Judge Stockard amended the terms of his release pending trial to preclude any other trips until his sentencing on July 27. On May 4, Zamora pled guilty to Burglary of a Business, a Category C Felony, which carries 1-5 years in prison. Zamora was charged after entering Kent’s Supply Center after hours through a broken window and taking merchandise.
Francis Kaena Akau appeared for sentencing on one count of Offer, Attempt, or Commission of an Unauthorized Act Relating to the Manufacture or Compounding of Certain Controlled Substances, a Category B Felony punishable by 3-15 years in prison after being arrested for selling methamphetamine last October.
Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Chelsea Sanford argued “no one wants to go to prison, but Akau needs to stop blaming his mother for his actions and face the music for his crimes. With seven felonies on his record, it is time to get this case done and over with.”
CCPD Wright Noel, counsel for Akau, stated his client was not trying to avoid facing the consequences of his actions. He, Noel, has been trying to find a way to help Akau address some of the problems leading to his behavior which led to the crime. According to Noel, at the age of three, Akau witnessed someone kick in the door to his home and shoot his father in the chest, killing him. The assailant then aimed the gun at Akau and his mother, when the gun jammed, the person ran from the home. Noel told the court that his client has been dealing with a laundry list of undiagnosed mental health problems from this trauma and many others in his life. His mother was also involved in dealing drugs. Noel requested that Akau be granted access to the Specialty Courts program in order to address his problems. He also stated his client has proven he can be a productive member of society and prison will not treat his mental health, but Specialty Courts can. Akau received probation on a suspended sentence of 24-60 months in prison and must complete the Western Regional Drug Court program.
Joseph Ansel Howard appeared for sentencing on a charge of Injuring or Tampering with a Vehicle, Causing Damages Between $250 - $5,000, a Gross Misdemeanor, which carries up to 364 days in jail, and Ex-Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a Category B Felony that carries 1-6 years in prison.
ADA Chelsea Sanford stated that this was not a “one-off.” Howard was found in possession of six guns after cutting the catalytic converter from a county vehicle to fuel his drug habit. Sanford asked for $1,338.37 restitution and 364 days in jail on the first count and 12-48 months in prison on the second.
CCPD Wright Noel, counsel for Howard, stated that someone took photos of Howard removing the catalytic converter and called the police, who then obtained a search warrant for the residence he shares with family. The weapons found in the home belonged to other residents and should not fall under Ex-Felon in Possession of Firearms. He argued that the firearms were family heirlooms gifted to the other residents of the home, his client was never found in direct possession of the firearms, nor was he found carrying them or used them in his crimes. According to Noel, the guns were simply in a residence that he shared.
Since entering a guilty plea at his arraignment, Howard has entered an inpatient residential treatment program. He addressed the court apologizing for his mistakes, thanking the court for allowing him to enter New Frontier and change his life. Judge Stockard sentenced Howard to a suspended sentence of 364 days in jail and restitution of $1338.37 on the first count, 28-72 months in prison, suspended, with the sentences to run consecutively.
Matthew Llyod Grissom appeared for sentencing on charges of Assault with A Deadly Weapon, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison and Coercion with Use of Physical Force a Category B Felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison. Chief Deputy District Attorney (DA) Lane Mills told the court that Grissom fired a gun into a building that people were in and is fortunate no one got hurt. Grissom was under the influence of alcohol at the time with a blood alcohol level of .227 and his memory of the events is imperfect at best. CCPD Jacob Sommer, counsel for Grissom, said that this incident was the result of substance abuse issues Grissom is not proud of and needs to get under control. Grissom addressed the court, saying he is very remorseful for his actions. He was living in a way he shouldn’t have and hopes others can learn from his mistakes. Judge Stockard sentenced Grissom to 200 days in jail and suspended consecutive sentences of 24-60 months in prison for each count.
Paul Kenneth Health Jr. (in custody) appeared for sentencing for Driving Under the Influence with Prior Felony Conviction for Driving Under the Influence, a Category B Felony punishable by 2-15 years in prison. DA Lane Mills states that Health was high on meth, marijuana and alcohol while driving county roads. This is his 8th DUI, his last one being in 2010, after which he served four years of a 13-year sentence. “Heath is going to kill himself or someone else with his behavior,” said Mills. He asked the court to impose the maximum sentence to protect the citizens of Churchill County. CCPD Jacob Sommer, counsel for Heath, stated a stop sign violation led to his arrest, not an accident. Heath was raised by his grandparents and joined the military; he is not a monster out to hurt the community, but someone who struggles with alcohol abuse.
Judge Stockard sentenced Heath to 72-180 months in prison.
Cassandra Gail Davis (in custody) was sentenced on charges of Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child Not Causing Substantial Bodily Harm, a Gross Misdemeanor punishable by 364 days in jail, and Attempt to Fail to Stop for Police Officer While Under the Influence, a Category E Felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison. ADA Chelsea Sanford stated, “Mothers are supposed to cherish and protect their children, but Davis chooses to drive under the influence of meth.” When police attempted to stop her, she refused to pull over for miles, calling 911 saying she refused to stop because she had kids in the car.
CCPD Wright Noel said that Davis lost her husband in a traumatic manner and has been trying to self-medicate with methamphetamine. Davis addressed the court acknowledging she has a drug problem and has not proven herself trustworthy, but she is asking for the opportunity to change her life course.
Davis received probation and suspended sentences, 364 days on the first count and 15-48 months on the second, to run consecutively. She must also complete the Western Regional Drug Court Program and grief counseling.
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