District Court News, January 30

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, January 30, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding. 

Mikayla Sue Sherman, in custody, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Commit Possession of a Controlled Substance, a Gross Misdemeanor, which carries a potential penalty of up to 365 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Defense counsel for Sherman, Larry Dunn, Esq., asked the court to place Sherman in the Western Regional Drug Court program. Dunn told the court that Sherman did abscond from supervision for a time, but she realized she needed to address her problems and self-surrendered. Judge Stockard suspended proceedings, placed Sherman on probation for twelve months, and granted her admission to the Western Nevada Regional Drug Court program. 

Lanette Dawn Anderson appeared for sentencing on a Category E Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), to which she pled guilty in November and is punishable by 1-4 years in prison. Deputy District Attorney Aaron Thomas told the court, “It is within the court’s discretion to put violent drug dealers in Drug Court.” Wright Noel with the Churchill County Public Defender’s Office said that he did not believe the state’s description of Ms. Anderson as a violent drug dealer was accurate and asked that she be placed on probation and allowed to complete drug court. Anderson addressed the court. “For the first time in my life, I feel like I’m making changes in my life and that the drug court program is helping me.” Stockard granted Anderson probation on a suspended sentence of 14-48 months in prison, ordered her to obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow all recommendations therein, and placed her in Drug Court.  

Joseph Robert Keller appeared for sentencing for Non-Support of a Spouse, a Former Spouse, or a Child, a Category C Felony. Under the terms of plea negotiations made in January of 2023, if Keller made his payments for a year, the charge would be reduced to a Gross Misdemeanor. Public Defender Wright Noel told the court that Keller has made child support payments for the last year and is current with his payments. Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills agreed and said the state is comfortable going forward; Mills asked for a suspended jail sentence with the condition that Keller continue to make his scheduled child support payments. Judge Stockard suspended a sentence of 364 days in jail and placed Keller on probation for a year. Additionally, if any payments are missed, Keller must return to court.  

Kimberley Ann Sanchez, in custody, admitted to a non-technical sentencing violation of absconding on the charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance, for which she received probation in November of 2022. Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills informed the court that Sanchez had been convicted 22 times, five of those convictions were felonies. “She clearly is not supervisable. We just ask that the court revoke her.” Public Defender Wright Noel argued for the reinstatement of Sanchez’s probation, stating that his client was doing well until she lost her mother and took an unauthorized out-of-state trip, after which she never got back on track. Noel said Sanchez is trying to get her life back together; she is employed, and he sees a lot of potential. Judge Stockard revoked Sanchez’s probation and imposed the underlying sentence of 12-32 months in prison. She was remanded to the Churchill County Sheriff for imposition of sentence. 

Jillian Olivia Yesslith, in custody, pleaded guilty to a Category B Felony of Battery by a Probationer, a Parolee, or a Prisoner in Lawful Custody, which carries a potential punishment of 1-6 years. According to the factual basis given, Yesslith kicked an officer during her arrest. Judge Stockard ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for April 23.  

Ramona Herrera, in custody, pleaded guilty to the Category D Felony of Principal to Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card or a Debit Card, punishable by 1-4 years in prison and a fine of not more than $5,000. According to the factual basis, on August 24, 2022, Herrera, either personally or instructed another person to, made purchases with a credit card that was not hers; purchases totaled $216.95. Churchill County Public Defender asked the court to release Herrera on her own recognizance, telling the court that she has medical conditions and has been in custody for more than a month. He also asked that his client be provisionally placed in Drug Court. Judge Stockard consented. He ordered supervision by Court Services, a pre-sentence investigation, and set sentencing for April 23.  

Jose Manuel Ruiz, in custody, pleaded guilty to a charge of Violation of a Domestic Protective Order, a Third or Subsequent Offense, which is a Category D Felony with a potential punishment of 1-4 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. On December 20, 2023, Ruiz violated a protection order issued out of a Colorado court and arrived at the home of his wife and children, having been twice convicted for violating the order. Ruiz also admitted to a Sentencing violation on the Gross Misdemeanor charge of Violation of a Protective Order, a Second Offense to which he pled guilty on December 12. Judge Stockard ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for April 23.  

Continuances and Warrants: 
Michael Jacob Casey’s arraignment - continued to February 6. 
Brant Bennett Jayne’s arraignment -continued to February 6. 
Corey Lamar Etchinek’s sentencing -continued to February 20. 
Selma Christina Sample - A $10,000 bondable bench warrant was issued.