Dennis Sentenced for Burglary, Battery

Dylan Ethan Dennis, in custody, appeared for sentencing in the Tenth Judicial District Court on Tuesday, March 25 before Judge Thomas Stockard. Dennis previously pleaded guilty to Category B Felony Burglary and Category D Felony of Battery by a Probationer, Parolee, or Prisoner.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills said Dennis had been given several chances and was on probation when the offenses occurred, calling that an aggravating factor. Mills said Dennis was no longer welcome in the home, entered through a doggy door, helped himself to a beer, and took packages that were later recovered. "It takes a lot for a father to burn those bridges," he said. Mills asked the court to decide on the appropriate sentence and had no objection to the battery term running concurrently.

Churchill County Alternate Public Defender Wright Noel said Dennis had shown some understanding and that both sides agreed not to request probation. He described his client as homeless at the time. "It was cold … and he was looking for somewhere to try to warm up," Noel said.

Dennis told the court, "I don't really understand this; but I'm willing to take the charges. I'm not a bad person … I had no intention of hurting my dad or his wife."

The victim, Dennis's stepmother, addressed the court directly. "I feel like a prisoner in my own home," she said. "He willfully ignored his unwanted presence … It made me feel I can't be comfortable in my own home." She told Dennis, "I forgive you, Dylan. I hope that you get the help that you need … Know that your family loves you; we just don't want to be violated anymore."

Judge Stockard noted a prior suspended sentence of 19–48 months. He sentenced Dennis to 12–36 months on the battery charge and 16–48 months on the burglary, to run concurrently with each other and consecutive to the earlier sentence.