District Court News, Feb. 13

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, February 13, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

Zachary Adam Jerry Lee Eagleton pleaded guilty to the Category B Felony of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, which carries a potential penalty of 1-6 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. The allegations state that Eagleton used a rifle to place a person in immediate apprehension that he was going to be assaulted. Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation, with sentencing set for May 7. 

Scott Lee Stacey pleaded guilty to the Category C Felony of Attempt to Commit Assault with a Deadly Weapon, which carries a potential penalty of 1-5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The factual basis given stated that Stacey did fire a firearm multiple times at Fox Peak. Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation and set sentencing for May 7. 

Nathaniel Arnold Slaamot, in custody, pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance, a First or Second Offense, a Category E Felony which carries a potential penalty of 1-4 years in Nevada State Prison, and a fine of up to $5,000. The factual basis for the charge stated that Slaamot was in possession of a Schedule III controlled substance. Slaamot also pleaded guilty to Damage to Prison or Jail, a Gross Misdemeanor punishable by up penalty to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000, in which he was stated to have damaged part of the padding in one of the jail cells, intentionally tearing it off. 

Deputy District Attorney Aaron Thomas asked the court to order restitution in the amount of $6,000, 364 days in jail, and probation on both charges.

Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer said Slaamot recognizes his behavior while under supervision has not been good, that he understands that his words will not mean much and that his conduct going forward is what will speak for him. “His motivation is strong right now,” said Sommer, who asked for probation on both charges. 

Slaamot received probation of 18 and 12 months, respectively, on suspended sentences of 12-36 months in prison for the felony drug possession and 364 days in jail for the damage done to the cell, with the sentences to run consecutively with credit granted for time served. Judge Stockard also ordered Slaamot to obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow the recommendations therein, attain employment within 30 days, and begin paying restitution in the amount of $350 a month, with the first payment due March 15. “The time for excuses is over,” stated Stockard, “I want you to be productive. I want you not to come back. I want you to be successful.” Slaamot was ordered to be released; however, he will be held until he can be transferred to Lyon County on a Failure to Appear charge. 

Jonathon Barajas pleaded guilty to the charge of Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle, a Gross Misdemeanor with a potential penalty of 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. According to the factual basis, Barajas took a car that belonged to his sister without permission.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford told the court, “This is a young man who made one bad decision after another,” when he took his sister's car and crashed it. “The only good decision he’s made is that he’s owned up to it.” 

Sanford asked for a suspended sentence of 364 days in jail, with four weekends to be spent in the Churchill County Jail.

CCPD Sommer argued for a shorter sentence, stating, “Jonathon has learned a really hard lesson. He has no substantial contact with the criminal justice system aside from this.” According to Summer, the incident stemmed from a family issue in which Barajas was upset with his sister and let his emotions get a hold of him. Asking the court to consider a suspended sentence of 60 days in jail, Sommer said that Barajas regrets every minute of what he did. “The goal of sentencing in court is to ensure that the message gets sent adequately.” He did spend two days in jail, and he did not like it there, concluded Sommer. 

Barajas, who works full-time as a welder, told the court he knows he shouldn’t have done what he did and that he wants to be there for his kids. 

Barajas received 12 months probation on a suspended sentence of 220 days in jail; he must spend the next four weekends in jail, obtain a substance abuse evaluation, and follow the recommendations thereof. Fees and assessments were imposed.

Beau Anthony Poutous appeared for sentencing on the charge of Buying, Receiving, or Holding Stolen Property of a value of $5,000 or more but less than $25,000, to which he pleaded guilty in November. 

SDDA Sanford submitted a two-page written victim impact statement into evidence and requested $2,000 in restitution be paid to the Division of Parole & Probation, and a lengthy underlying sentence to ensure that Poutous complies with the restitution order. 

Sommer, defense counsel for Poutous, asked for probation for his client, who currently resides in California. Further, Sommer stated that Poutous intends to comply with all the court's orders and fully intends to pay restitution.

Poutous addressed the court, stating, “I have true remorse for what happened.” 

Stockard acknowledged Poutous’s criminal record, which included several theft-related offenses. He told Poutous that according to the victim impact statement, “They would like to see you go to prison…With this criminal history, that would not be an unreasonable result. But I'm going to give you a chance.”   

Fees and assessments were imposed, and $2,000 restitution was ordered.

Stockard granted Poutous probation on a suspended sentence of 19-48 months in prison and ordered restitution at $150 a month. He must also obtain a substance abuse evaluation, follow its recommendations, and have no contact with the victim. Fees and assessments were imposed and Poutous must remain in Nevada until an interstate compact is in place with the California Division of Adult Parole Operations.

Continuances:  

• Jolean Marie Boag’s Sentencing Violation Hearing was continued to February 20. 
• Silvestre Barco Nevarez’s Arraignment was continued to February 20. 
• Tanina Rose Barley's Sentence Violation Hearing was continued to February 20. 
• Kellsie Lynn Barry’s Sentence Violation Hearing was continued to February 20. 
• Sonnie Angelo Anzaldua’s Status Hearing was continued to February 20.