District Court – March 11, 2025

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened on March 11 in Fallon with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding. 

Jeffery Allen Chandler appeared for a review hearing on alleged violations of pretrial supervision. He tested presumptively positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, MDMA, and THC. The state requested Chandler be remanded into custody with bail, citing a pattern of substance use and concerns over his ability to participate meaningfully in proceedings. Chandler has previously failed the Specialty Court and Drug Court programs.

Defense counsel acknowledged Chandler's addiction struggles but emphasized his continued communication, engagement with testing, and pursuit of treatment options. Chandler admitted to ongoing substance use, citing chronic pain and a history of injuries. He stated he holds a medical marijuana card but could not provide information about the issuing physician.

The court reviewed Chandler's criminal record, which includes four felony convictions and multiple parole revocations, along with several failures to appear and comply. Judge Stockard revoked Chandler's Own Recognizance (OR) and set bail at $7,500 bondable, requiring daily testing and monitoring. Chandler must test clean before release, and if he tests positive through SOBR 24, he must report to jail within two hours. Stockard continued the arraignment to March 25.

Taylan Jeffrey Hicks, pictured right, failed to appear for his March 11 hearing. Court Serviced Director Brenda Ingram reported Hicks was released on February 18 but failed to appear for drug testing two days later, claiming illness. Hicks was instructed to report anyway but did not follow through. Ingram reported five additional missed tests and no further contact from Hicks.

The court issued a $5,000 bondable bench warrant. If released, Hicks must test through Court Services and remain under supervision. Any further violations will result in his return to custody.

Michael Anthony Nekonowitz pleaded guilty to three charges related to a 2024 vehicle burglary. The charges include Count I: Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, a first offense Category E felony, punishable by 1–4 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000, and Count II and III: Petty Larceny, misdemeanors, each punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine up to $1,000, or 200 hours of community service.

The charges stemmed from an October 24, 2024, theft from a 2005 Toyota, from which Nekonowitz stole a Social Security card, flashlights, amplifiers, and a knife. The parties agreed to restitution of $560, which Nekonowitz paid at the hearing.

Nekonowitz is already on probation for a separate matter. As the current charges predate that case, they were handled independently. No Pre-Sentencing Investigation (PSI) was ordered due to the Category E designation and mandatory probation. Judge Stockard set sentencing for March 25.

Richard Theodore Brown appeared for sentencing for Non-Support of a Child, a Category C felony. He had previously entered into a plea agreement in October 2023 that allowed for a reduction to a gross misdemeanor if he made consistent payments for 12 months. No payments were made, and the pre-sentence investigation showed a lack of participation.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills cited Brown's extensive history of nonpayment and failure to appear, describing his behavior as indicative of antisocial tendencies. Churchill County Alternate Public Defender Wright Noel said Brown has diabetes and vision loss and is pursuing Social Security disability. A recent partial payment was reportedly made but not reflected in the audit.

Brown apologized to the court and said he hoped to move forward but was physically unable to work. Judge Stockard noted arrears totaling more than $126,000 and sentenced Brown to 12–32 months in prison, applying 10 days credit for time served. 

Dylan Ethan Dennis admitted to a non-technical probation violation. He had previously been scheduled for an evidentiary hearing, which was vacated after he entered guilty pleas in an unrelated felony matter.

The court reviewed a recent PSI and noted a criminal record dating to 2013, including domestic battery, assault, and repeated probation violations. CDDA Lane Mills asked the court to impose the original sentence.

Defense attorney Ray Areshenko Esq. attributed Dennis's behavior to substance abuse but said he had gained clarity following a preliminary hearing and time in custody. Dennis reportedly accepted responsibility and better understood his circumstances after speaking with family members.

The court revoked probation and imposed the underlying sentence, to be served concurrently or consecutively with Dennis's other pending sentence, as determined at his next hearing on March 26. Dennis has been in custody since October 6, 2024. The PSI reflected 165 days of time served, though parties agreed to review records and finalize credit calculations in the written revocation order.

Bryant-Bennett Jane admitted to a technical probation violation for failing to meet a special condition requiring monthly restitution payments of $182 toward $9,707.96. He stated that his failure to pay stemmed from personal struggles and a rebellious mindset but expressed a commitment to change and comply.

CDDA Lane Milles noted the violation had been filed as technical, limiting the court's options. While Specialty Court placement was discussed as a possibility, concerns were raised due to the underlying nature of Jane's offenses and past behavioral issues. Jane had served 79 days in jail since his December arrest, with a total of 140 days credited toward his sentence.

Jane addressed the court directly, explaining that he had worked to overhaul his thinking and behavior while in custody. Judge Stockard temporarily revoked Jane's probation for 30 days, awarded full credit for the 140 days served, and ordered his release pending resolution of separate felony matters in Justice Court.