Tenth Judicial District Court Tuesday, June 24, Judge Thomas Stockard presiding

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, June 24, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

William August Ehlers appeared via telephone from a prison in Jamestown, California, for a status hearing. Churchill County Alternate Public Defender (APD) Wright Noel explained that his client is on probation in Nevada and is now the subject of a violation report from the Division of Parole and Probation.

"In speaking with the State, Judge, I don't know that there is a lot we can do to clear that warrant, mainly because he is located in a prison out of state," Noel said.

Judge Stockard ordered Ehlers to make arrangements to contact his California attorney to discuss the violation report.

Julie Ann Hayden pleaded guilty to Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a Category B Felony punishable by 2–15 years in prison and a fine up to $6,000. She was initially charged with several other offenses, including Burglary with the Use of a Firearm or Deadly Weapon, two counts of Possess, Manufacture, or Dispose of an Explosive or Incendiary Device, and Allow Child Abuse or Neglect. Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI), set sentencing for August 26, and provisionally placed Hayden into the Western Nevada Regional Specialty Court program.

Chelsea Lynn Daniels pleaded guilty to the Category D Felony of Detention, Concealment, or Removal of a Child from a Person Having Lawful Custody or in the Custody of the Court, punishable by 1–4 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. The factual basis stated that Daniels removed her 10-year-old child from the custody of the Division of Child and Family Services. Judge Stockard ordered a PSI and set sentencing for August 26 at 1:30 p.m.

Misty Dawn Orpiada appeared for sentencing on the Category E Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance, punishable by 1–4 years in prison with probation mandated for first offenses. Wendy Bullock with Court Services summarized Orpiada's record from May 13 through June 23, which included two missed tests, seven positive tests, and four negative tests.

Churchill County Deputy Public Defender (DPD) Hampton Young acknowledged Orpiada's failure to comply with Court Services' supervisory requirements, stating that his client is remorseful and wants to continue in Specialty Court.

Orpiada told the court, "I'm willing to work on that if you are willing to work with me. I've never had help before in my life."

Judge Stockard said, "It's been a rougher time period between your initial appearance in District Court and now than typically seen, which I think might reflect the depth of your addiction issues. What you just told me is something that many addicts tell me, that they've never had help before. Help is out there, … nobody's been hiding it from you … Addiction doesn't want help until you decide to do it."

Stockard suspended proceedings, placed Orpiada on probation for 12 months, and ordered her to complete Specialty Court and comply with the recommendations of her substance abuse evaluation.

Charles Lee Gilmore, in custody, pleaded guilty to Illegal Transfer of a Firearm Without a Background Check, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000.

Alternate Public Defender (APD) Charles Woodman said the charge predates Gilmore's current probation cases. "This is a little case that was kind of dangling out there. All things considered, it probably should have been wrapped up into the other charges," he said. Woodman asked the court to impose probation consecutive to Gilmore's existing probation, suggesting suspended time as a deterrent.

Gilmore addressed the court, saying, "I made some poor choices, Sir." He said he has a plan and goals and added, "Failure is not an option for me."

Judge Stockard granted probation on a 180-day jail sentence, to run consecutively to his other probation cases, and ordered Gilmore to enter and complete Drug Court.

Tiffany Lynnae John, in custody, admitted to a Non-Technical Sentencing Violation, which included absconding.

Senior Deputy District Attorney (SDDA) Chelsea Sanford said John was previously sentenced on two Category D Felonies of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card or a Debit Card, each carrying an underlying sentence of 19–48 months in prison. Sanford explained that John had been employed at The Homestead Senior Living facility, where she received a credit card from a resident and used it for personal wire transfers. Sanford said John performed well on probation until February, when she "went off the rails." Sanford asked the court to revoke probation and impose the underlying sentences.

APD Wright Noel said John's probation expires on November 11, 2025. "There is no question Ms. John had a hiccup here … but to say there are no mitigating factors ignores the fact that there was a period when she did extremely well on probation." He said John has support from the Tribe, a job waiting for her, and a proven ability to comply with probation. "Let's get her back on the right track; let's let her finish probation."

John told the court she believed she was no longer on probation and asked for another chance. "I'll complete probation and there won't be another issue." She said she has remained employed by the Tribe.

"I'm not buying the thing that you thought you were done. I'm just not," Judge Stockard said. However, he reinstated probation and ordered John to serve the next 10 weekends in the Churchill County Jail.