The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, Jan. 6, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, Jan. 6, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

Cory Michael Cone, in custody, appeared for sentencing on the charge of Arson. 

Cone was initially charged with Attempt to Commit Murder, a Category B felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison, and First Degree Arson, a Category B felony punishable by 2 to 15 years. According to the criminal complaint, on or about Oct. 3, 2024, Cone placed gasoline under the home of Robert J. Shivner and ignited it, causing a fire that engulfed the residence.

Churchill County Public Defender (CCPD) Jacob Sommer told the court that Cone understood his actions were dangerous and frightening, and that he deeply regretted his behavior. Sommer said Cone would not have acted as he did had he not been drinking and noted that Cone had been diagnosed with conditions that may have contributed to the incident.

Cone addressed the court, stating, “I regret my actions; that’s not me. That's not something I would do if I was stable, not drinking …”

Judge Stockard sentenced Cone to 48 – 120 months in prison and remanded him to the custody of the sheriff for imposition of the sentence.

Daren Jesse Graham appeared for sentencing on a Category C felony charge of Burglary of a Business, to which he pleaded guilty on Aug. 5.

Judge Stockard granted Graham probation on a suspended 24-60-month prison term, fined him $2,000, and ordered $570 in restitution. Graham was ordered to obtain a substance abuse evaluation.

Stockard also told Graham he must notify any prospective employer that he is a convicted felon and to disclose the nature of his offenses. Expressing concern over Graham’s criminal history, particularly burglaries, the judge warned Graham that probation was a significant opportunity and urged him to take advantage of it.

Angela Marie Garcia appeared for sentencing on Failure to Appear After Admission of Bail or Release Without Bail, a Category D felony, to which she pleaded guilty on Oct. 20.

“How part of our criminal justice system works is having people show up … In this case, unfortunately, she did not come to court,” said Senior Deputy District Attorney, who asked for an appropriate sentence, with probation, “to give her an opportunity to correct this behavior.”

Judge Stockard granted probation on a suspended 14 – 45-month sentence. During the hearing, he noted that Garcia had completed inpatient treatment at New Frontier Treatment Center, transitioned to the Rural Nevada Treatment Center in Reno, and remained employed. Stockard encouraged Garcia to continue the positive steps she has taken.

Susan Lynch pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), a First or Second Offense, a Category E felony punishable by 1–4 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI), set sentencing for March 10, and provisionally placed Lynch in the Western Nevada Regional Drug Court.

Kelly Danielle Walsh pleaded guilty to the gross misdemeanor of Unlawful Taking of a Motor Vehicle, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

SDDA Sanford told the court that Garcia was in possession of a vehicle she had rented in Las Vegas, which she returned several weeks late.

Judge Stockard granted Walsh probation on a suspended 180-day jail sentence and ordered no use of controlled substances.

Chelsea Lynn Daniels, in custody, admitted to a technical sentencing violation after violating a protective order on the Category D felony case of Detention, Concealment, or Removal of a Child from a Person Having Lawful Custody. 

Initially, the case triggered an Amber Alert and multi-agency response on March 31, as Daniels unlawfully took her infant son from his court-ordered placement. During a prior hearing, Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker presented dash cam footage of a dangerous, high-speed chase and text messages suggesting Daniels planned to defy child protective orders. During her Aug. 27 sentencing, Judge Stockard granted probation on a suspended 19–48-month sentenced and ordered 30 days in jail.

In November, Judge Stockard revoked Daniels’ probation for 30 days for violating the active protective order against Justin Daniels. At the time, Baker reported that Daniels had contacted Justin Daniels 25 times within a few days.

Judge Stockard again temporarily suspended Daniels’ probation, ordered her to serve 90 days in jail and to enroll in an inpatient treatment program within 30 days of her release.

Cassandra Gail Davis, in custody, admitted to a non-technical sentencing violation after failing to complete court-ordered inpatient treatment. Her underlying convictions included two Category B felonies of Battery by a Probationer, Parolee, or Prisoner in Lawful Custody, each with an underlying sentence of two consecutive 28–72-month terms.

DDA Baker reminded the court that Davis had previously been before the court on violent conduct involving her mother, stemming from substance abuse. She asked the court to revoke probation and impose the underlying prison sentence.

Churchill County Alternate Public Defender (APD) Wright Noel acknowledged that Davis left treatment but said she quickly turned herself in and sought to enter a different inpatient program. The defense asked the court to reinstate probation and allow Davis to enter treatment once a bed became available.

Judge Stockard revoked Davis’s probation and modified the 28-72-month sentences to run concurrently. She was remanded to the custody of the sheriff for imposition of the sentence.

Cody Oscar Meyrahn admitted to a non-technical sentencing violation for absconding on the underlying gross misdemeanor charge of Assault on an Officer.

APD Wright Noel said his client struggles with homelessness and relapsed into alcoholism. Noel asked the court to reinstate probation with the condition that Meyrahn remain in custody until he could enter a 30-day inpatient treatment program.

Meyrahn told the court, “I’m just really ready to get from behind the bottle.” 

Judge Stockard revoked probation and imposed the underlying 364-day jail sentence. Meyrahn was remanded to custody for imposition of the sentence.

Sara Michelle Jones, in custody, admitted to a non-technical sentencing violation involving controlled substance use, financial obligations, and testing positive for fentanyl. The underlying charges stemmed from a 2021 case involving two Category D felonies of Forgery and Obtaining or Possessing a Credit Card Without Consent.

DDA Baker asked the court to revoke Jones’ probation, outlining a lengthy history of noncompliance. Baker noted that while the case was pending, Jones repeatedly tested positive for controlled substances, failed to appear for testing, left treatment programs without completion, and absconded from supervision for an extended period. Baker said Jones continued to violate probation conditions after being reinstated, failed to comply with Drug Court requirements, and argued that Jones had been given numerous opportunities without meaningful compliance.

APD Wright Noel acknowledged Jones’ violations but told the court that Jones experienced the longest period of sobriety in her life, actively participated in recovery programs, and sought to continue treatment. He asked the court to either allow Jones to serve the remainder of probation in custody or to modify the sentences.

Jones addressed the court, stating that hearing her past conduct described was “sickening,” and she was no longer that person. She described sustained sobriety, participation in recovery, reconnection with family, and efforts to build stability in her life.

Judge Stockard revoked Jones’ probation and imposed the underlying sentence. He modified her two 19–48-month sentences to run concurrently rather than consecutively. Jones was remanded to the custody of the sheriff for imposition of the sentence.