District Court - March 3

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, Mar. 3, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

Ciera Elizabeth Coatney pleaded guilty to Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance with a Prior Felony Conviction for Driving Under the Influence, a Category B Felony. The offense is punishable by 2–15 years in prison and a fine of $2,000-$5,000. The charge carries a mandatory prison sentence.

Judge Stockard asked what a drug test would show today. Coatney replied that she would test positive for THC, but not alcohol. She told the court she is not driving and does not currently have a license. Judge Stockard ordered Coatney to submit to testing that day and placed her under Court Services supervision. If she tests positive for anything other than THC, she will be returned to custody with $100,000 cash-only bail.

Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for June 23.

Paul Lee Jr., in custody, pleaded guilty to Convicted Sex Offender Providing False or Misleading Information, a Category D felony punishable by 1–4 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.

Judge Stockard ordered a PSI and set sentencing for May 5.

Autumn Nicole Castleberry appeared for sentencing on Embezzlement of a Value of $5,000 or More but Less than $25,000, a Category C felony punishable by 1–5 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills told the court restitution is owed to three victims: $154,203 to one victim and $15,484 to each of the other two, for a total of $185,171. Mills reminded Judge Stockard that the court is familiar with the case and noted that Castleberry is in poor health, including heart failure. The state asked for probation and requested that restitution be distributed proportionally to the amounts owed to each victim.

Defense Attorney Charles Woodman told the court his client is “a textbook example of what drugs can do to a person, and then what a person can do when they grab ahold of their life and turn it around and leave drugs behind.”

He said she went from a drug user to an out-of-control addict and is now “looking normal and healthy and well.” Woodman said Castleberry receives permanent Social Security Disability and supplements her income with a part-time job she has held since April. He acknowledged the restitution amount is significant but said Castleberry wants to do the best she can for her family. He told the court she had said, “All I can do is go forward from here. I can't undo what I've done.” Woodman asked the court to grant probation.

Castleberry apologized to the court and acknowledged that the conduct had been occurring for four years. “I’m not who I was four years ago. I really don’t know who I was four years ago, or even two years ago. I'm only seventeen months clean,” she said. She told the court that in 2023, “I came here thinking I could put a show on for you guys, and you guys wouldn’t catch me or you guys wouldn’t know that I was actually getting high. Like you guys don't see that every day.” She said she is truly sorry and explained her health problems stem from drug addiction. She said she hopes to help others get off drugs and concluded, “I am truly sorry for all of my actions.”

Judge Stockard asked what happened to the $185,000. Castleberry said she has nothing to show for it and cannot say exactly where the money went, stating, “I was living large as a drug addict.”

Judge Stockard told Castleberry, “When I look at this case, this is a case that on first impression…, I would send you to prison on. I also have learned to trust the people in front of me, and listen as they weighed in …”

The court granted probation on a suspended sentence of 24 to 60 months in prison, with restitution ordered to be paid at the rate of $350 a month beginning March 20.

David Steven Haskin, in custody, pleaded guilty to two charges: Conspiracy to Commit Burglary of a Business, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000; and Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance, a Third or Subsequent Offense, a Category B felony punishable by 1–6 years in prison and a fine of $2,000-$5,000. The DUI carries a mandatory prison sentence unless the defendant is allowed to participate in and successfully completes the DUI Diversion Program.

Upon the request of defense Attorney Charles Woodman, Judge Stockard provisionally placed Haskin in the Western Nevada Regional Specialty Court program and placed him under Court Services supervision. Judge Stockard ordered a PSI, set sentencing for May 5, and ordered Haskin not to drive.

Anthony Robert Ortega, in custody, pleaded guilty to Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child Not Causing Substantial Bodily Harm, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in the Churchill County Jail.

Judge Stockard set sentencing for May 5 and ordered Ortega to be released on his own recognizance. Stockard noted that there was a custodial hold pending in Lyon County on another matter and that Ortega would remain in custody until he was released to the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office.

Oscar Jason Torres-Juarez, in custody, pleaded guilty to Attempt to Commit Robbery, a Category B felony punishable by 1–10 years in prison.

Churchill County Alternate Public Defender Kenneth Tedford III addressed Torres-Juarez’s custodial status and requested that he be released on his own recognizance due to medical concerns.

Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker cited the defendant’s court history, including six failures to appear, and said the victim remains fearful of him. She told the court, “The state believes he needs to remain in custody unless he can post bail.”

Brenda Ingram with Court Services reported Torres-Juarez’s assessment determined that Torres-Juarez posed a high risk of reoffending.

Judge Stockard denied the request for release on recognizance and noted bail remains set at $10,000.

Judge Stockard ordered PSI and set sentencing for May 5.

Justin Shane Poindexter’s arraignment was continued to March 10.

Jonathan Dale Keller's arraignment was continued to March 10.