Teresa Moon
Tharon Theodore Webb Jr. pleaded guilty to the Category C Felony of Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance, a Third or Subsequent Offense which carries a potential penalty of 1-6 years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine of $2,000-$5,000. This charge carries mandatory prison unless the defendant enrolls in and successfully complete the DUI Diversion program.
The Defense proposed, and the State had no objection, to Webb being provisionally entered into the DUI Diversion program. Judge Stockard granted provisional entry to the program.
A Pre-Sentence Investigative Report was ordered, and sentencing was set for October 14.
Nicholas Aaron Teeters appeared for sentencing on two Category B Felonies of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance, a Third or Subsequent Offense. On June 21, 2022, was granted the privilege of DUI Diversion Program. Judge Stockard recognized that Teeters graduated from the program and is now eligible for his pleas to be withdrawn and he now pled guilty to DUI Second Offenses.
Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker stated, “The State wants to admire the defendant’s work during the DUI Diversion Program. He was a model participant.” Baker concluded the State's argument with, “The State is proud to request of this Court to reduce both counts to DUI Second.”
Judge Stockard congratulated Teeters stating, “That's a glowing report from Ms. Baker.”
Teeters told the Court, “This program was life changing. Thank you for the opportunity.”
The Court found that completing the DUI Diversion Program met some of the required penalties. Teeters received a fine of $750 on each charge for a total of $1,500.
Stockard then said, “Mr. Teeters, Congratulations. This is what we hope for. … I would invite you to consider, at least for your sake, and it sounds like this is your intent, to remain sober.
Daren Jesse Graham, in custody, pleaded guilty to Burglary of a Business, a Category C Felony which has a possible punishment of 1-5 years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine of not more than $10,000.
A Pre-Sentence Investigative Report was ordered, and sentencing was set for October 7.
Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer asked for his client to be released on his own recognizance; Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills had no objection. Graham was released with Court Services supervision.
Jeremy Lee Morton, in custody, appeared for sentencing on the Category E Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine) which he pled guilty to in May.
Judge Stockard noted that Morton was allowed to provisionally attend the Western Regional Drug Court.
Court Services Director Brenda Ingram told the Court Morton has the following record with Court Services. On July 9 he tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamines; on July 15, 18 and 25 he failed to appear for testing; on July 29 he tested positive for several substances; and he tested negative the day before court.
Baker began the State's argument by telling the Court that in addition to all the Court Services violations, Morton “wasn’t cooperative with the drug court, he wasn't completing forms, he wasn't being cooperative. That doesn't show his willingness to participate in this program. That concerns the State.” She asked for a suspended 19-48 months in prison, noting this is a mandatory probation case.
Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer began the Defense argument by addressing “the elephant in the room”. Sommer told the Court, “Mr. Morton has done terribly with his provisional admission to the Western Regional Drug Court.” Sommer said his client “really does want to do the drug court. He would prefer to do it; and he recognizes that his behavior doesn't demonstrate that.”
Morton told Judge Stockard, “I'll try. I should have took it more serious, but I had some trouble.”
Fees and assessments were imposed, and Morton received a suspended sentence of 19-48 months in the Nevada State Prison. He was placed on probation for 12 months. In addition to standard conditions of probation, the defendant was ordered to enter and complete the Western Regional Drug Court, and to obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow the recommendations thereof. Stockard told Morton he is going to get another opportunity; however, he warned the defendant, “This is a double-edged sword," in that if he does not make it through drug court he is likely to end up in prison. Stockard concluded, “You're high risk. But that means there’s high reward.”
A juvenile defendant, in custody, pleaded guilty to the Category B Felony of Willfully Poisoning or Adulterating Food or Water or Medicine which carries a potential penalty of 2-15 years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine of not more than $10,000.
Judge Stockard noted the defendant is 16 years old and explained the original charges were attempted murder, and the charges automatically certify the defendant as an adult.
Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer made record that his client is still a juvenile; therefore, he has made extra effort to make sure the defendant understands what is happening. Sommers told the Court he has found the defendant “to be an unusually intelligent young man. He is articulate, and he's responsive and engaged.” Sommer concluded setting the record with, “I am confident he understands what is going on, I’ve reviewed with him in depth how this will go; and I think he is prepared to go on.”
Stockard canvased the defendant regarding his understanding and was satisfied that the defendant understood.
The factual basis given by the Defense was that last October the defendant placed pesticide in his mother's coffee and served it to her.
Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills said the State would be prepared to prove, “the defendant, intending to kill his mother, and because she had Covid she had lost her sense of taste and she couldn’t taste anything, he placed this pesticide into her coffee with the intent to kill her.” Mills said the defendant turned himself in and told law enforcement he intended to kill her; he also sent his mother an apology text notifying her what he had done.
A Pre-Sentence Investigative Report was ordered, and sentencing was set for October 21.
Comment
Comments