Tenth Judicial District Court Tuesday, Nov. 7 Judge Thomas Stockard Presiding

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened on Tuesday, Nov. 4, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.  

Richard Anthony Davis pleaded guilty to Burglary of a Business, a Category C Felony, which is punishable by 1-5 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for Jan. 13, 2026.

Joseph Robert Keller appeared for sentencing on Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), a Category E Felony, to which he pleaded guilty on Oct. 14.

Judge Stockard stated he had not received the substance abuse evaluation, nor had an application for diversion been filed. He continued the case to Dec. 2.

Roman Alexander Clark appeared for sentencing on the Category C Felony of Non-Support of a Spouse, Former Spouse, or a Child, to which he pleaded no contest on Oct. 29, 2024.

Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Priscilla Baker told the court the state had received 12 months of payments. Therefore, amended information was filed, reducing the charge to a Gross Misdemeanor. Baker said the state wanted to encourage the defendant to continue making his payments on time and asked for a suspended 364-day sentence.

Churchill County Public Defender (CCPD) Jacob Sommer asked for a suspended fine.

Judge Stockard imposed fees and assessments, delivered a suspended sentence of 364 days in the Churchill County Jail, and placed Clark on probation.

Brian Keith DeWitt, in State of Nevada custody at Northern Nevada Correctional Center, pleaded guilty pursuant to Alford to Attempt to Commit Sexual Assault on a Child Under the Age of 14, a Category B Felony, which carries a mandatory prison sentence of 2-20 years. An Alford plea allows a defendant to maintain their innocence while acknowledging that the prosecution has sufficient evidence to likely secure a conviction and accept the legal ramifications of a guilty plea. If convicted, DeWitt will have to register as a sex offender and will be subject to lifetime supervision by the Division of Parole and Probation.

Judge Stockard ordered a PSI and set sentencing for Jan. 13, 2026, at 1:30 p.m.

Oscar Jamie Vargas, in custody, pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance, First or Second Offense, a Category E Felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.

CCPD Jacob Sommer asked that Vargas be placed on probation. Court Services Director Brenda Ingram said the defendant was returned to custody twice in September.

Vargas told the court he was sorry and “should not have been doing what I was doing.”

Judge Stockard granted probation on a suspended 12-24 sentence and ordered Vargas to obtain and follow the recommendation of a substance abuse evaluation.

Charles Marvin Lee, in custody, pleaded guilty to Count I, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of Domestic Violence, a Category B Felony, which is punishable by 1-6 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000; and to Count II, Unlawful Acts Related to Human Excrement or Bodily Fluid Without Disease (for spitting on a Churchill County sergeant while in custody), a Gross Misdemeanor punishable by 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. Judge Stockard ordered a PSI and set sentencing for Jan. 13, 2026.

Michael Dwayne Alliston, in custody, pleaded guilty to Burglary of a Business, a Category C Felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

Churchill County Alternate Public Defender (APD) Wright Noel addressed Alliston’s custodial status and requested that his client be released on his own recognizance (OR).

Senior Deputy District Attorney (SDDA) Chelsea Sanford did not object, provided that Alliston has daily check-ins with Court Services and be drug tested before court appearances.

Judge Stockard granted the release under those conditions, ordered a PSI, and set sentencing for Jan. 13, 2026.

Autumn Castleberry pleaded no contest to Embezzlement of a Value of $5,000-$24,999, a Category C Felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Judge Stockard ordered a PSI and set sentencing for Jan. 27, 2026.

Mekyel Kenneth Tybo sentencing continued to Dec. 2. 

Nike Salas status hearing continued to Nov. 18.