Prison for Alcaraz Following High-Speed Pursuit and Collision

Tenth Judicial District Court convened Wednesday, April 22, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

Joseph Alcaraz III, in custody, appeared for sentencing in Tenth Judicial District Court before Judge Thomas Stockard on Wednesday, April 22. In February, he pleaded guilty to two counts, Failure to Stop on the Signal of a Peace Officer While Under the Influence, a Category D Felony, and Count II, and Battery with a Deadly Weapon, a Category B Felony. 

Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford requested consecutive sentences, citing the seriousness of the offenses.

Sanford explained that Alcaraz took a vehicle without permission. The victim notified law enforcement who located the vehicle at 2:11 a.m. Alcaraz led deputies on a pursuit up Lovelock Highway, speeding and swerving across the center line. He then made a fast U-turn and continued fleeing.

At 2:16 a.m., the chase ended when Alcaraz intentionally struck a vehicle that had pulled over for emergency lights. Sanford noted the victim heard acceleration, not braking, before impact.

“This was not a fender bender; this was an intentional hitting of a vehicle,” Sanford said. “He used his vehicle as a ramrod.”

Sanford presented photos of the vehicles citing the danger posed by Alcaraz’s actions. Though he has no prior felonies, Sanford argued for a stiff penalty to protect the community.

Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer acknowledged the seriousness of the case, stating, “Joseph recognizes, as we reviewed these photos, that this is not acceptable. This is dangerous.”

While agreeing time in custody was appropriate, Sommer proposed probation after 320 days, noting Alcaraz’s 254 days in jail.

He also described Alcaraz as a young man who faced hardship and poor decisions but is capable of change. “He’s not a bad young man. He’s struggled,” said Sommer. “Now he’s going to be a convicted felon.” 

Sommer noted Alcaraz showed remorse in the Pre-Sentence Investigation report acknowledging it was a traumatic incident for the victims.

Alcaraz addressed the court, speaking about growing up around violence and hardship and describing alcohol as his escape.

“It was a night of selfishness. I didn’t care about what happened to others,” he said. 

He offered a deep apology and a desire to change. “This is not the life I want to live. This is not who I want to be. I want to be a better person. And with another chance I believe I can be,” he said.

Judge Stockard sentenced Alcaraz to 16–48 and 48–120 months in prison to run consecutively.

“I have considered probation; this is not a case I find it appropriate to grant probation,” Stockard said.