District Court News

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, October 10, Judge Thomas Stockard presiding. 

Landon Dakota Mason appeared for sentencing on the C Felony of Charge of Offer, Attempt, or Commission of an Unauthorized Act Relating to the Manufacture or Compounding of Certain Controlled Substances, a 1st offense, to which he pled guilty in February. Steve Evenson, Esq., defense counsel for Mason, requested a continuance, stating his client had “misrepresented his drug use” and he needs to obtain a substance abuse evaluation. Judge Stockard granted a continuance to December 5.

Corey Lamar Etchinek appeared for sentencing on Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Category E Felony which carries a potential penalty of 1-4 years in a Nevada State Prison, to which he pleaded guilty in June. Etchinek told the court that due to a “miscommunication,” he thought he was getting an evaluation; however, he actually got an assessment that did not meet the court’s requirements. The case was continued to December 5 to allow the defendant to obtain the correct evaluation that is needed prior to sentencing. 

Matt Charles Lane admitted to a third Parole and Probation technical violation regarding failure to make restitution payments of $1,000 per month on the $29,000 he stole from his grandmother. The judge explained that the underlying sentence may be imposed if there is a fourth violation. Lane was given until November 3 to make his next $1,000 restitution payment.

Todd Jay Snider pleaded guilty to Offer, Attempt, or Commission of an Unauthorized Act Relating to the Manufacture or Compounding of Certain Controlled Substances, a Category D Felony which carries a potential penalty of 1-5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A Pre-Sentence Investigative Report was ordered, and sentencing was set for January 2, 2024. 

Torie Rae Turner pleaded guilty to a Gross Misdemeanor charge of Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child not Causing Substantial Bodily or Mental Harm, which carries a potential penalty of up to 364 days in Churchill County Jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Turner also pleaded guilty to a Misdemeanor charge of Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled Substance, which carries mandatory sentencing by statute. Sentencing was set for January 9. 

Christopher Andrew Clauson, in custody, appeared for sentencing on a Category E Felony of Failure to Stop on the Signal of a Peace Officer while Under the Influence. Deputy District Attorney Sanford told the court that in the middle of the day, Clauson zoomed past a marked police car, then failed to stop when the officer turned on lights and sirens, resulting in an approximately 1.7-mile chase through Fallon. Clauson was sentenced to 12-34 months in prison and remanded to the Sheriff for imposition of sentence.

Heather Lynn Walter, in custody, appeared for sentencing on a Gross Misdemeanor charge of Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child Not Causing Substantial Bodily or Mental Harm and on a Category D Felony charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance a Third or Subsequent Offense, both of which she pled guilty to in July. She admitted to a Non-Technical Violation. Walter received 364 days in Churchill County Jail on the Gross Misdemeanor and 24 months of probation on a suspended sentence of 19-48 months on the Felony, which is to be added to her original probation. Walter was ordered to obtain a Substance Abuse Evaluation, follow the recommendations therein, and must complete the Western Regional Drug Court program. Fees and assessments were imposed.

Sanderson William Becker, in custody, pleaded guilty to a Category B Felony of Driving Under the Influence, a Third or Subsequent Offense; he also admitted to a non-technical probation violation. Stockard revoked Becker’s probation and sentenced him to 18-60 months in prison and imposed a fine of $2,000.

Matthew Alan Lee, in custody, admitted to the non-technical probation violation for absconding from supervision. Lee told the court that he is an addict and new to recovery and he failed a drug test, he was scared and felt everything was going south. The judge told Lee that his direct and honest factual recitation was “kind of refreshing.” He reinstated Lee’s probation with the additional condition that Lee enter and complete the Western Regional Drug Court program.