District Court News: March 12

Bryant Bennett Jayne pleaded not guilty to the Category D Felony of Battery by a Prisoner in Lawful Custody or Confinement and to the following four Gross Misdemeanors: 

1. Assault on an Officer 
2. Unlawful Acts Related to Human Excrement or Bodily Fluid Without Disease 
3. Injury to Other Property valued at more than $250 but less than $5,000 
4. Injury to Other Property valued at more than $250 but less than $5,000 

Felony Battery carries a potential penalty of 1-4 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Each gross misdemeanor carries up to 364 days in Churchill County Jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Parties agreed to a Criminal Settlement Conference, in which a senior judge from another district will hear the case. If no satisfactory resolution is reached, Bennett will return to court for trial by jury on October 28. 

Joseph Roy Wineman pleaded guilty to the Category D Felony of Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance, a Third or Subsequent Offense, which carries a potential penalty of 1-6 years in prison and a mandatory fine of $2,000 - $5,000. The factual basis provided stated that Wineman drove on a public road with a blood alcohol of at least .08, having had a previous felony DUI conviction in California. A Pre-sentence Investigation was ordered, with sentencing set for May 28.   

Isaac Jayson William Davis pleaded guilty to the Category C Felony of Battery Causing Substantial Bodily Harm, punishable by 1-5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. According to the Criminal Complaint, Davis unlawfully used force or violence upon the person of another, causing substantial bodily harm. A Pre-sentence Investigation was ordered, with sentencing set for May 14.  

Colby James Lafrance pleaded guilty to Obtaining or Possessing a Credit Card or Debit Card Without the Consent of the Owner and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card or Debit Card Without the Consent of the Owner of that Card. Each count carries a potential penalty of 1-4 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. According to the Criminal Complaint, the first count alleges that in March of 2023, Lafrance did steal, take, or remove a credit card from the possession of another and unlawfully used that card to obtain goods totaling $906.33. Count 2 alleges that in July of 2023, Lafrance fraudulently used a credit or debit card of another without permission at approximately 20 different locations. A Pre-sentence Investigation was ordered, with sentencing set for May 28.  

Kevin Franklin Russo, appearing via Zoom from an inpatient treatment facility, pleaded guilty to:

1. Obtaining Money, Rent, or Labor by False Pretenses of a Value of $1,200 - $5,000, a Category D Felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. 
2. The Felony charge of Willful or Intentional Failure to Return a Leased or Rented Vehicle to the Owner is a Category C Felony with a potential penalty of 1-5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. 

The "wobbler" charge of Attempt to Commit Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle can be sentenced as a Gross Misdemeanor with a potential penalty of up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000 or as a felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.  

The Criminal Complaint alleges that in Count I in October of 2023, with the intent to cheat or defraud, Russo did represent himself as a business partner at Valley Rental, took $2,000 from another for a rototiller, and did not provide it to the person. Count 2 alleges that Russo rented a bobcat excavator from Louie's Ace Hardware and did not return it, then attempted to sell the excavator; Count 3 alleges that Russo did intentionally drive away a white gooseneck trailer belonging to another with the intent to steal it. The court set sentencing for July 16.  

Chaz James John, in custody, pleaded guilty to Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, which carries a potential penalty of 1-4 years in prison and a fine of not more than $5,000, and Possessing a Credit Card or Debit Card Without Consent, which carries the same potential penalty. The allegations state that in August of 2022, John unlawfully used the credit card of another to purchase gasoline, unlawfully sold or transferred a credit card intending to defraud another, and possessed that card without permission. John also pleaded guilty to a charge of Failure to Appear After Admission of Bail or Release, which also carries a potential penalty of 1-4 years and a fine of $5,000. The court set sentencing for April 9.