The Tenth Judicial District Court convened on October 31, Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.
Tiffany Lynnae John, in custody, appeared for sentencing on two Category D Felony charges of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card or a Debit Card. DDA Sanford informed the court that John took advantage of an elderly couple residing at Homestead. Upon hearing her troubles, the couple allowed her to use their debit card to purchase a phone. John then made 11 other unauthorized transactions. Sanford requested two consecutive 12-34 month sentences. CCPD Noel, representing John, asked the court for probation to demonstrate that the 94 days she spent in custody could change her life. John took full responsibility for her actions, stating that she had put drugs and alcohol before her family.
Judge Stockard sentenced John to probation for 24 months on the two consecutive 19-48 month suspended sentences. She must also undergo a substance abuse evaluation and follow its recommendations. An additional 180 days in Churchill County Jail was ordered.
Sandra Nicole Stahl, in custody, appeared for sentencing on two Gross Misdemeanor charges: Assault on an Officer and Conspiracy to Possess or Control a Dangerous Weapon by an Incarcerated Person. DDA Thomas explained that Stahl had committed multiple violent acts. The first was assaulting an officer who had found her using substances near a highway when she lashed out at the officer. While incarcerated, she created a makeshift weapon from a spoon. Thomas asked for the maximum penalty of 364 days in jail for each charge. PD Noel informed the court that Stahl had come from Ohio, had some medical issues, and was in a better state now. He requested sentences of 201 days to run concurrently, with credit given for the 201 days she had already served, and to allow her to return to Ohio. Stahl apologized for her actions. The judge agreed to Noel's suggested sentence, ordering Stahl's immediate release.
Cheyenne Laverne Peters, in custody, pleaded guilty to the Gross Misdemeanor charge of Conspiracy to Unlawfully Obtain and Use Personal Identifying Information to Avoid or Delay Prosecution. Peters provided her sister's name to law enforcement to avoid being arrested on her own active warrant in Pershing County. Peters received 220 days in Churchill County Jail, suspended, with credit for 33 days served, and was placed on probation for 12 months. In addition to standard probation conditions, Peters was ordered to complete her GED while on probation and remain in custody pending transport to Pershing County.
Robert Charles Schostag III pleaded guilty to the Category B Felony of Child Abuse, Neglect by Sexual Abuse, or Exploitation Not Causing Substantial Bodily Harm, carrying a potential penalty of 1-6 years in Nevada State Prison. Charles Woodman Esq., defense counsel for Schostag, clarified that this was not a sexual offense, explaining that the defendant had hit a 6-year-old child on the back with a belt. The judge explained that probation was an option only if Schostag obtained a Psychological Risk Assessment, and it showed he was not at high risk to re-offend. A Pre-Sentence Investigative Report was ordered, and sentencing was set for January 23, 2024.
Amado Leonel Olvera-Perez admitted to a Technical Probation Violation regarding failure to pay restitution. This was his second violation concerning the owed $11,000. Following arguments from the state and the defense, the judge reinstated Olvera-Perez on probation with the additional condition that if he didn't make the next month's payment of $778 by December 1, he would face another violation. The defendant was also to forfeit any good time credit he had earned on probation.
Michael Jacob Casey, in custody, appeared for a status hearing. Casey’s case was remanded back to Justice Court.
Richard Theodore Brown pled guilty to the Category C Felony of Non-Support of a Spouse, a Former Spouse, or a Child, punishable by 1-5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. PD Noel stated that as part of plea negotiations, the state agreed to postpone sentencing until next year, allowing Brown an opportunity to make the prescribed payments regularly. If he complies, the case would be reduced to a Gross Misdemeanor. The judge asked Brown about his current child support payment, which he didn't know. Stockard emphasized that it was Brown's responsibility to know the amount. He ordered Brown to make all necessary child support arrangements. Brown’s next status hearing is set for October 29, 2024.
Shelley Leanne Sonafrank, in custody, admitted to a Non-Technical Probation Violation for failing to complete residential treatment. DDA Thomas noted that she had been released and returned to court multiple times on her initial charge of meth possession. He asked the court to revoke her probation and impose the underlying sentence of 19-48 months. Defense attorney Charles Woodman, representing Sonafrank, suggested outpatient substance abuse treatment for his client, arguing for Drug Court upon completion, in essence putting her on a short supervisory leash. Sonafrank expressed an understanding of her actions and her drug use. The judge reinstated her probation with the condition that she remained in custody until she had a bed date in a residential treatment facility.
Continuances and warrants:
- Sonnie Angelo Anzaldua failed to appear for his arraignment. A $25,000 cash-only bench warrant was issued.
- Christopher Colby Ingram’s sentencing violation hearing was continued to November 28.
- Autumn Nicole Castleberry’s arraignment was continued to November 14.
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