District Court July 13

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, July 13 with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.  

Dominic Jesse Hatch pleaded guilty to the Category D Felony of Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance for the Purpose of Sale, First Offense, and to Illegal Transfer of a Firearm Without a Background Check, a Gross Misdemeanor. The felony is punishable by 1–4 years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine up to $5,000; the gross misdemeanor is punishable by up to 364 days in the Churchill County Jail and a fine up to $2,000. Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for September 16.

Lauren Nichole Gilmore pleaded guilty to the Category E Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance, First or Second Offense, punishable by 1–4 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. Sentencing was set for September 16.

Jonathan Scott English pleaded guilty to the Gross Misdemeanor of Housebreaking, punishable by up to 364 days in the Churchill County Jail and a fine up to $2,000. The factual basis stated that English unlawfully entered an uninhabited or vacant dwelling. Judge Stockard suspended proceedings and placed English on probation with conditions that he comply with his substance abuse evaluation and complete the Western Regional Drug Court Program. 

Cassandra Gail Davis pleaded guilty to the Gross Misdemeanor of False Imprisonment, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. The factual basis stated that Davis used force against her mother, holding her down against her will.

Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Priscilla Baker told the court Davis had granted guardianship of her children to her mother and went to visit them while intoxicated. Believing her mother “had the devil in her,” Davis pushed her down and restrained her to pray for deliverance. Law enforcement was called to intervene. Baker said the victim wants her daughter to receive treatment, noting Davis has completed a 30-day inpatient program and has remained sober since. The State requested a suspended sentence of 364 days.

Judge Stockard imposed fees and assessments, suspended the 364-day sentence, and placed Davis on 12 months of probation with conditions, including completion of a substance abuse evaluation and compliance with its recommendations.

Joshua Vernon Patrick Feddern-Wiles failed to appear for a scheduled status hearing. Court records indicate that he was outside the courthouse when the bailiff attempted to retrieve him, but the defendant left the premises.

Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Lane Mills told the court there has been “a flurry of Court Services violations,” noting Feddern-Wiles was removed from the drug court program and failed to provide a required test sample that morning, reportedly indicating he would test positive. Judge Stockard issued a $100,000 cash-only bench warrant. 

Joshua Gordon, in custody, appeared for arraignment. Defense Attorney Charles Woodman advised that, pursuant to negotiations, there was no objection to Gordon’s release on his own recognizance (OR) with the condition that he enter Drug Court.

Judge Stockard granted OR release under conditions that Gordon check in daily with Court Services, submit to random drug testing, abstain from alcohol and illegal substances, and commit no new criminal violations. Gordon was provisionally placed into the Western Regional Drug Court Program.

Megan Ann Blakeley, in custody, pleaded guilty to the Category D Felony of Possessing a Credit Card or Debit Card Without Consent, punishable by 1–4 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.

Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for September 16.

Benjamin Ronald Wilson, in custody, admitted to a Technical Sentencing Violation on the underlying Gross Misdemeanor of Conspiracy to Commit Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child Not Causing Substantial Bodily or Mental Harm.

Judge Stockard revoked probation and sentenced Wilson to 30 days in jail with credit for 31 days served.

Magdaleno Ramirez-Ruiz, in custody, pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), a Category E Felony punishable by 1–4 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. The case dates back to 2002.

Chief Deputy District Attorney (CDDA) Lane Mills recommended a suspended sentence of 12–48 months with seven days in jail as a condition of probation. Churchill County Public Defender (CCPD) Jacob Sommer agreed the proposal was reasonable and requested probation.

Ramirez-Ruiz apologized, saying, “During the days of your youth, you don’t think of the consequences.”

Fees and assessments were imposed. Judge Stockard suspended a 12–36-month prison sentence and placed Ramirez-Ruiz on probation for 18 months with conditions: serve seven days in jail, comply with federal immigration requirements, and complete a substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment.

Bradley Nelson Rogne, in custody, appeared for sentencing on three counts to which he pled guilty in May: Count I – Duty to Stop at the Scene of a Crash Causing Death or Personal Injury, a Category B Felony; Count II – No Proof of Insurance, a Misdemeanor; and Count III – Failure to Yield for a Vehicle Approaching or Entering an Intersection, a Misdemeanor.

CDDA Lane Mills noted the victim impact statements, saying, “This has had a tremendous impact on her life.” Mills requested $3,013 restitution and emphasized the victim wants Rogne to enter rehab “before he does this to somebody else.” He added, “Victims are not fakes. There’s no interest-free loans for victims. We expect restitution to be paid in a proper, orderly manner.” Mills requested restitution in full within six months and a substantial sentence, suspended. Driving without insurance, Mills said, was “an aggravator as far as the state’s concerned.”

Defense Attorney Charles Woodman said, “The best argument I have for this client is his years of experience working for Welsco as a well driller.” Woodman stated Rogne earns $25 an hour, works 60–70 hours a week, and can pay restitution within six months.

Rogne apologized “to everybody involved” and promised to pay restitution.

Judge Stockard said, “As I reviewed this case … this is a case that there would be a high likelihood I would send you to prison. Both counsel have asked for probation, and I have learned to trust counsel when they come together and ask that.”

Rogne was sentenced to: Count I – 72–180 months in prison and $5,000 fine, both suspended; probation for 36 months with conditions: restitution paid in full within eight months, substance abuse evaluation and compliance, and no good-time credit unless payments (minimum $377/month) remain current; Count II – $600 fine and 90 days in jail, suspended on the condition Rogne obtain liability insurance before driving; and Count III – $500 fine, with all terms to run concurrently.

Jason Dakota Brown’s status hearings were continued to July 22.