Michael Lawrence Pfenning-King appeared for sentencing on Tuesday in the Tenth Judicial District Court before Judge Thomas Stockard. Pfenning-King was accused of robbing the Comstock Casino at knifepoint and faced charges of Robbery, a Category B Felony punishable by 1-15 years in prison. The allegations stated that Pfenning-King held a knife at the alleged victim in a threatening manner and demanded money.
According to Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills, Pfenning-King robbed the Comstock casino with more than one accomplice. He stated that the defendant intelligently, thoughtfully, and intentionally planned to commit a violent offense within this community. “These people were subject to being threatened with a knife and were threatened by a gun by his accomplice,” said Mills. “No one in our community should ever be subjected to that. We need to send a message that violent crime in our community is simply not tolerated.”
Pfenning-King’s retained attorney, Moria Demarias Esq., senior associate at the Law Office of Richard P. Davies in Reno, argued that her client has made several strides to make this right. She argued for probation for her client with the maximum sentence imposed as an underlying sentence. Mario Walther, also defending Pfenning-King, stated that they believe their client has turned his life around. “This was a blessing in disguise and made me do a complete 360,” said Pfenning-King. He apologized to the Court, the victims, and the casino, stating, “I really am sorry.”
Judge Stockard said that he considered all the options in this case and sentenced Pfenning-King to 24-75 months in prison. “You are going to do that time,” stated Stockard, “Which is on the low end. Based on what you have done (to turn your life around), you earned that. But based on the severity of the case, it (sentencing) would have likely been much more severe.” He was ordered to pay restitution upon his release and remanded to the custody of the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office.
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