District Court Notes, January 23

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, January 23, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding. 

Joseph Robert Keller appeared for sentencing regarding court-mandated monthly child support payments of $565 ordered in January of 2023. Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills reported to the court that Keller was doing “swimmingly" until November, when he paid $150, and nothing has been received since.  Wright Noel with the Churchill County Public Defender’s Office told the Court that Keller could catch up on his payments by the end of January, even though Keller stated he was not working. Judge Stockard continued sentencing until January 30. If Keller meets his obligation by that date, the case will be sentenced as a Gross Misdemeanor. If he fails today, Stockard said he will order a Pre-Sentence Investigation, and the case will proceed. 

Robert Charles Schostag III appeared for sentencing on the Category B Felony of Child Abuse, Neglect by Sexual Abuse, or Exploitation Not Causing Substantial Bodily Harm, which he pled guilty to in October. Judge Stockard said neither the court nor the District Attorney’s Office have received a Psychological Risk Assessment, which is required for Schostag to be considered for probation. Charles Woodman, Esq., appointed to defend Schostag, told the court that his client did have the assessment done and provided a copy to the court. Woodman apologized to Judge Stockard and the state for not ascertaining whether they had received their copies. Stockard continued the sentencing to February 6 to allow the assessment to be properly reviewed.