Fentanyl, Cocaine, Cash and Guns: Fallon Man Hit With 17 Charges

Rocky Wells appeared via Zoom from the Churchill County Jail in New River Township Justice Court before Judge Benjamin Trotter for an initial appearance in New River Township Justice Court on Thursday, April 3. Wells faces 17 charges stemming from an April 1 incident that allegedly involved controlled substances, weapons, cash, and minor children present in the home. Judge Benjamin Trotter presided, with Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford representing the State and Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer appointed to represent Wells.

Wells is charged with multiple felonies and misdemeanors related to the possession and sale of illegal substances. The most serious charges include:

• Offer, Attempt, or Commission of an Unauthorized Act Relating to a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance, a Category C felony, for allegedly transporting 20 sublingual Suboxone films, a Schedule III controlled substance, in a black Dodge Challenger.
• Possession of a Schedule III, IV, or V Controlled Substance for Sale, a Category D felony, for allegedly possessing the same Suboxone films in a white envelope labeled with pricing details, along with $5,741 in cash.
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, low-level, a Category C felony, for allegedly possessing 28 grams of cocaine, a Schedule I substance.
• Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance for Purpose of Sale, a Category D felony, for allegedly possessing transdermal fentanyl patches.
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, first or second offense, Category C felony, for fentanyl in blue powder form.
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, first or second offense, Category C felony, for methamphetamine.
• Offer, Attempt, or Commission of an Unauthorized Act Relating to a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance, a Category C felony, for allegedly attempting to sell counterfeit M30 pills that contained acetaminophen instead of oxycodone.
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, first or second offense, Category E felony, for heroin.
• Ex-Felon Not to Possess a Firearm, a Category B felony, for allegedly possessing a Colt .357 Magnum revolver while having a prior felony conviction for Domestic Battery, Third Offense, in 2006. The initial arrest reported indicated three firearms charges.
• Possession of More Than One Ounce and Less Than 50 Pounds of Marijuana or More Than One-Eighth of an Ounce but Less Than One Pound of Concentrated Cannabis, a Category E felony for allegedly possessing over one ounce of concentrate.
• Possession of More Than One Ounce and Less Than 50 Pounds of Marijuana, Category E felony, for allegedly possessing approximately three pounds of marijuana.
• Possession of a Controlled Substance, first or second offense, Category E felony, for methylphenidate (Ritalin).

In addition, Wells is charged with two counts of Allowing a Child to Be Present During the Commission of Certain Violations Involving Controlled Substances Other Than Marijuana, both Category C felonies. The complaint alleges a one-year-old infant and a 13-year-old child were present in the home where Schedule I, II, or III substances were used and stored for sale.

Three misdemeanor counts were also filed for Possession or Use of Drug Paraphernalia: two plastic dishes with residue, two rolled-up dollar bills, and hundreds of micro baggies.

Wells confirmed he understood all allegations. During a financial qualification review, he stated he is unemployed and lives with his wife and four minor children, plus one adult child. His wife is employed as a manager at a local store. The court found Wells eligible for a public defender and appointed Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer.

Sommer argued for Wells' release on his Own Recognizance (OR), reporting that Wells was deemed at low-moderate risk on the pretrial assessment and that any past failures to appear were decades old and related to traffic matters. Sommer said Wells had strong community ties, and Court Services could adequately supervise him.

Judge Trotter asked Wells if he intended to try to get substance abuse treatment. "Yes, sir. I want to do anything I can to make my life better," said Wells.

"And do you think you could be successful on Court Services, which would require you to not use anything?"

When Wells replied in the affirmative, Trotters said, "I hear that from a lot of people that are addicted to substances, and then it doesn't work out for them because they come back and fail."

"I'm not going to fail, Your Honor," Wells assured the court.

Sanford strongly opposed an OR release, noting the quantity and variety of drugs involved, including fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and counterfeit pills. She also expressed concern over the presence of multiple firearms, significant cash, and Wells' admission to selling drugs. Sanford said there was a serious risk to the community and argued that Wells was profiting from others' addictions. She warned that the state might seek to increase bail and said Wells' conduct resembled an organized distribution operation.

Judge Trotter acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations, stating, "This one's definitely a challenging one. It has been some time since Mr. Wells has been in the court system." He noted Wells' long-standing residence in the community and the dated nature of his prior failures to appear, which goes back many years.

"There's a decision in the state of Nevada that is challenging to deal with on these specific situations," Trotter explained, referring to the Nevada Supreme Court's ruling and bail and Own Recognizance releases under certain conditions. "I agree with the state that your under-the-table occupation that you're accused of is a danger to the community. However, I also believe that you deserve an opportunity to attempt to stay clean and away from those substances."

Trotter granted the OR release with the provision that if Wells fails to meet the strict conditions of release and supervisory requirements of Court Services, his original bondable bail of $223,000 will be reinstated. Sanford requested that any claims of Suboxone or methadone prescriptions be supported with documentation, noting the state is aware of no valid prescriptions in Wells' name.

Judge Trotter reminded Wells that he remains under the same stringent conditions even if he later posts bail. "So, I'm going to give you an opportunity at this. If you prove me wrong, you're going to have a tough sell the next time."

Judge Trotter set Wells' next court appearance for Thursday, April 10, at 8:30 a.m. in Fallon Justice Court.

For more on understanding Nevada bail laws and OR releases, check out:

Violent Criminal Charges and No Bail — What? Why?

Arrest report: March 31 – April 6, 2025