District Court February 4

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, February 4, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.  

Carlos Casillas-Morales appeared for sentencing on the Category D Felony of Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Sales, to which he pleaded guilty in December.  

Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills told the court it appears Casillas-Morales is not in the United States legally; he claims the drugs (over 24 grams with 28 grams or more constituting transporting or trafficking) were for personal use despite the way they were packaged. "A hit is .1 gram; you can figure out the math to that pretty easily," Mills stated, asking Judge Stockard to send a message that this kind of thing will not be tolerated.  

Churchill County Alternate Public Defender (APD) Wright Noel said his client maintains the drugs were for his own use, not for sales. Noel added that besides this one incident, Casillas-Morales has been a model citizen in our community. Noel asked for probation, considering Casillas-Morales has no prior criminal history, has accepted responsibility, and has cooperated.

Judge Stockard sentenced Casillas-Morales to 12-32 months in the Nevada State Prison and remanded him to the custody of the Churchill County Sheriff for imposition of the sentence.  

Jordan Adam Cunnington pleaded guilty to the Category C Felony of Non-Support of a Spouse, Former Spouse, or a Child, which is punishable by 1-5 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Cunnington told the court he had gone over the guilty plea memorandum with his attorney "a little bit." Judge Stockard trailed the proceedings to allow him to confer with defense counsel. When Stockard called the case again, Cunnington was not present. A $5,000 bondable bench warrant was issued.  

Cody Oscar Meyrahn pleaded guilty to the Gross Misdemeanor of Assault on an Officer, which is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. According to the factual basis, Meyrahn threw a bottle of vitamins at an officer.  

Deputy DA Priscilla Baker explained that the defendant was highly intoxicated at the time, with a Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) of .826, and recommended treatment. APD Noel told the court his client did not even remember the incident and had been sober for over a month and asked that the court follow the recommendations of the plea agreement.  

Meyrahn told the court, "I've learned alcohol is not my friend. It impairs my judgement, and it really changes my character…" Judge Stockard granted Meyrahn probation on a suspended 364-day sentence and ordered him to obtain and follow the recommendations of a substance abuse evaluation. 

Jason Manuel Rothert appeared via Zoom for a Status Hearing regarding the Category C Felony of Non-support of a Spouse, Former Spouse, or a Child to which he pleaded guilty in September. At that time, the proceedings continued to allow Rothert to pay $440 a month for a year on his arrears of $22,101.13.  

Chief Deputy DA Mills reported Rothert has made payments, although late. Mills said the state and the defense agree, "we're going to start this fresh, for another year, and it's due on the first … and it better be in … the State of Nevada's hot little hand on the fifth." 

Judge Stockard agreed to the terms of the agreement and extended the case for twelve more months.  

Travis Reed Johnson appeared on a Non-Technical Sentencing Violation of Failure to Enter and Complete the Western Regional Drug Court, which he previously admitted in January. 

Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer asked for probation, stating his client has appeared in the Western Nevada Regional Drug Court (WNRDC) specialty program weekly as ordered, now a plan which Drug Court has accepted, and he receives treatment through a separate provider. Further, Sommer said the court Service will continue drug testing for now. 

DDA Priscilla Baker told the court, "If this defendant is willing to give diversion another chance, the state would have no objection." Judge Stockard told Johnson, "I'm proud of you… the progress you've made … you've come up with a plan, and that's good, you're invested in it."  He reinstated Johnson's probation.

Seth Christian Overson, in custody, appeared for sentencing on the Category C Felony of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, to which he pled guilty in December.  

Senior Deputy DA Chelsea Sanford requested 24 – 60 months in prison, explaining Overson was in possession of a stolen vehicle from Washoe County, came to Fallon, was arrested, was granted release on his own recognizance (OR), then stole another vehicle in Pershing County. He served 11 months there and was transferred to Churchill on a warrant for Failure to Appear. Sanford said when this defendant is unsupervised, he engages in criminal activity.   

CCPD Jacob Sommer said his client feels his conduct was unacceptable and intends not to repeat it. Sommer asked for a minimum prison term, stating his client promises no further acts of this kind, "That's his commitment to this court, and that's his commitment to our community," said Sommer. 

Overson received 15 - 60 months in prison and was remanded to the sheriff's custody for imposition of the sentence.  

Kristin Kay Scott, in custody, admitted to a second Technical Sentencing Violation in a year. CCPD Sommer told the court Scott knows she doesn't deserve accommodation or mercy. However, Sommer stated that Hoving Home will hold a bed for her for a week. He asked for probation reinstatement and treatment. Scott said she wants "to be back to that person that I want to be," and to better herself.  

Officer Ramirez with Parole and Probation said the division wanted to see her in the program. SDDA Chelsea Sanford did not believe Scott should be reinstated, recalling the saying, "A thief will work twice as hard to steal a dime than to earn a quarter honestly." Sanford said Scott makes so much effort to lie, manipulate, and tell half stories. The state recommended her probation be revoked for 90 days.  

Judge Stockard temporarily revoked Scott's probation and ordered her to serve seven days in jail, applying seven days credit for time served. He reinstated her probation and released her with the provision she was at Hoving Home in Las Vegas within 24 hours. 

Rachel Nicole Brown's arraignment continued until January 25.