District Court News

The Tenth Judicial District convened Tuesday, August 8, with Judge Robert Estes presiding. 

Anthony James Rinehart, in custody, appeared for arraignment on a charge of Burglary with a Firearm or other Deadly Weapon, which carries a potential penalty of 2-15 years in Nevada State Prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The defendant pleaded guilty. The judge ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigative Report, and sentencing was set for September 12. 

Elijah Blue Aughe pleaded not guilty to Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or Controlled or Prohibited Substance with a Prior Felony Conviction for Driving Under the Influence. The charge carries a potential penalty of 2-15 years in Nevada State Prison and a fine of $2,000-$5,000. A jury trial was set for December 6-8, and a settlement conference will be scheduled administratively. 

Vanessa Kaylynn Rodrigues failed to appear for arraignment, and a bench warrant was issued. 
Robert Mikel Alexander appeared for sentencing on a charge of Ownership or Possession of a Firearm by Certain Prohibited Persons, a Category D Felony carrying a possible sentence of 1-6 years in Nevada State Prison and a fine of up to $5,000. He was sentenced to 16-48 months, suspended, with 36 months probation with standard conditions applied. The defendant was also ordered to get a Substance Abuse Evaluation within the next 30 days and to remain in Nevada until his probation is transferred to Idaho, where he is currently living. Fees and assessments were imposed.

James Howard Knight, in custody, appeared for sentencing on the Category B Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance, a High Level. Public Defender Sommer told the Court he did not receive the Pre-Sentence Investigative Report until yesterday and has been unable to review it with the defendant. The case was continued until August 15. 

Boldragon Plexico, in custody, appeared for sentencing on the Category D Felony charge of Battery with the Intent to Commit Burglary, which he pled guilty to on June 13. Chief DDA Mills began his argument by citing Plexico’s criminal history of physical violence from 2003 to the present before stating that Plexico “is a proven violent person, and he has proven it through his own conduct.” PD Sommer asked for probation with specific conditions applied, including that Plexico enter and complete the Salvation Army program. Plexico told the court, “If I go to prison, I will find meth there. I will find the wrong people there. I will find gangs there. And this cycle will keep continuing. What I am asking from you today, Your Honor, is a chance to get the help that I need.” The judge stated, “Protection of others is paramount,” as he sentenced the defendant to 36-120 months in Nevada State Prison.  Plexico was also ordered to pay restitution of $2,319 for extradition costs. He was remanded to the custody of the Churchill County Sheriff for imposition of the sentence. Fees and assessments were imposed.

Steven Richard Juhasz, in custody, appeared on a Sentencing Violation. PD Noel reported that while Juhasz was on probation for simple possession, he picked up another possession charge which is the basis of the violation. Estes revoked Juhasz’s previous probation and told the defendant, “The original sentence will go into effect, and that was 19-48 months in Nevada Department of Corrections.” Regarding the violation charge, the judge sentenced Juhasz to 12-48 months suspended, with 18 months probation and the standard conditions. Fees and assessments were imposed. Credit for time served was applied. The defendant was remanded to the Churchill County Sheriff’s Office. 

David Flores-Saucedo, in custody, appeared on several Probation Violation charges. The defendant admitted to not getting his GED, not getting a Mental Health Evaluation, traffic violations of Illegal Lane Change and Driving on a Suspended Driver’s License, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Ammunition Casings; Possession of 2 Firearms, Marijuana, and Alcohol, being $150 behind in Supervision Fees and being $278 behind in Court Fees. The judge revoked Flores-Saucedo's probation following arguments by CDDA Mills and PD Noel. Flores-Saucedo was remanded to the custody of the Churchill County Sheriff for imposition of the sentence. 

Trace David Roper, in custody, admitted to the probation violations of Using Methamphetamine While on Probation, Failure to Appear for Drug Testing on April 6, Failure to get a Substance Abuse Evaluation, and Being Behind in Supervision Fees. The defendant denied Being in Possession of Burglary Tools in May. The judge ordered the defendant to serve 60 days in Churchill County Jail, with probation reinstated afterward.