Justice Court Update – Nov. 13

Judge Benjamin Trotter handled multiple sentencing matters during the Nov. 13 New River Township Justice Court docket, including a domestic violence case with mandatory custody time and a protection order violation tied to drug paraphernalia.

Lana Balthazar appeared with her attorney, Churchill County Deputy District Attorney Hampton Young, after the parties reached a negotiated resolution. She pleaded guilty to criminal contempt. Judge Trotter sentenced her to 30 days in the Churchill County Jail, suspended for 12 months, on the condition she does not violate any court orders, including appearance orders and summonses.

Koda Kephart, who was arrested in early November for a DUI first offense and no proof of insurance, appeared for a status hearing after previously indicating he intended to hire private counsel. The defendant said he remained in contact with an attorney but needed additional time to gather funds. The State did not object. Judge Trotter continued the matter and set a new status hearing for Dec. 11, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. He instructed Kephart to notify the court promptly upon counsel's retention.

Angela Westerlund, who had pleaded guilty Nov. 4 to a misdemeanor theft case involving items taken from a vacant property. Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford said trail cameras captured Westerlund taking a metal horse scraper and a rake, and requested restitution of $54.09. Sanford asked for 10 days in jail, suspended for two years, plus restitution. Westerlund objected at sentencing, saying she found the tools already broken and returned them to officers immediately. Trotter told her the court could not revisit guilt after she entered a plea. He imposed a 10-day suspended jail sentence over two years with the condition of no further criminal violations and ordered restitution paid within 30 days. After Westerlund said she had injuries and could not perform physical labor, Trotter declined to order community service.

Tiffany Odle appeared on two matters—an arraignment on a new charge and a status hearing on an existing case. Public Defender Jacob Sommer waived formal arraignment, told the Court Odle understood the new charges, and requested that his office be appointed to the new case as well. Odle agreed to waive her right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days.

Judge Trotter set the next hearing for Dec. 11, 2025, at 10 a.m. if Odle is in custody or 8:30 a.m. if released. The sheriff’s office will book her on the new summons before release.

Harjit Singh, who was arrested in early November on charges of Open or Gross Lewdness, first offense, appeared with a Punjabi interpreter for a status update on counsel. Singh told the Court he had retained Joey Gilbert’s office but had not yet made payment or filed paperwork.
Because Singh had not waived his right to a preliminary hearing within 15 days, his hearing was set for the upcoming Monday, and Judge Trotter determined that retained counsel would not be prepared. The court appointed the Churchill County Public Defender’s Office, with Attorney Jacob Sommer appearing.
After a private consultation, Sommer said Singh would waive the 15-day timeframe, and the court set a status hearing for Dec. 12, with interpreter availability confirmed.