Tenth Judicial District Court The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, March 10, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened on Tuesday, March 10, in Fallon with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

Susan Lynch appeared for sentencing on the Category E Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), to which she pleaded guilty in January.

Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer said his client is doing very well in the Western Nevada Regional Drug Court program, where she was provisionally placed, and that she would like to remain in it.

Lynch told Judge Stockard, “I'm doing very well in Drug Court. I'm there for all my meetings. I think it's helping me a lot.” She also said, “I'm taking advantage of everything they're offering me there.”

Judge Stockard placed Lynch on probation and ordered her to obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow all recommendations. He also officially placed Lynch in the Western Regional Specialty Court Program.  

Justin Poindexter, in custody, appeared for arraignment. Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer explained that this case is unique in a couple of ways; his client is here on an allegation of failure to pay child support. However, there is an issue regarding Poindexter's need for treatment. The defense asked for a three-to-four-month continuance to get Poindexter into a facility.

Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford said it “would be setting the defendant up for failure if we went forward with arraignment today.” The state agreed with the defense's request for a continuance; however, Sanford asked for a status check in three weeks.

Judge Stockard set a status hearing for March 31.

Jonathan Dale Keller, in custody, pleaded guilty to two counts. Count I: Attempt to Commit Obtaining or Possessing a Credit Card or a Debit Card Without Consent, a “wobbler” which can be sentenced as a Category E Felony, punishable by 1-4 years and a fine up to $5,000, or as a Gross Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a fine up to $2,000. Count II: Misdemeanor of Possession or Use of Drug Paraphernalia, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

SDDA Chelsea Sanford noted that this is a mandatory probation case. She told the court, “He has a choice. No matter what sentence this court gives him, it is going to ultimately be up to him once his sentence is completed, whether or not he's going to be doing the rest of his life on the installment plan, in and out of the detention center and/or prison, or if he's going to turn his life around.”

Sanford also summarized the defendant’s criminal history beginning in 2014 through today. That history included eight to 10 misdemeanor convictions ranging from domestic battery to assault to numerous petit larcenies, one gross misdemeanor for injury to a vehicle in 2024, and a probation violation. She said Keller also left residential substance abuse treatment, withdrew from Drug Court, and failed to pay restitution.

Regarding the current case, the victim's wallet went missing from her cart at Safeway. A few weeks later, law enforcement received a call about an unwanted subject; this turned out to be the defendant, who had open warrants from Justice Court. During a search of his person, officers found a pipe which tested positive for methamphetamine, and a driver's license, five credit cards, and a military dependent verification card, all belonging to the victim, along with two credit cards belonging to the victim's husband.

Sanford said that from Keller’s release for his last gross misdemeanor to his current arrest was two months and two days. He has also failed to appear in a Justice Court case since his arrest in this case.

“It's a crossroads for this defendant,” Sanford stated. “What does he want to do with his life?” She said that he can live his life committing misdemeanors, maybe eventually graduating to felonies, or he can turn his life around.

Sanford asked the court to grant probation on Count I, but to sentence it as a felony. She said what we have here is an individual who keeps on “pestering the criminal justice system" with misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors.

Churchill County Alternate Public Defender Wright Noel agreed with the state's request for sentencing the credit card offense as a felony with probation. Noel told the court that his client has been in a difficult situation. “He's been homeless, and he's missing quite a few documents that would allow him to find a job,” Noel said. When released, the defendant plans to meet with the FASTT Team to figure out how those documents can be recovered so he can get back to work. FASTT assists defendants in obtaining documents and provides other services to help stabilize those who need essential services or treatment.

Keller told the court he is sorry for the things he has done and said he is hoping for an opportunity to prove himself.

Judge Stockard inquired as to what Keller would like to do with his life. Keller said ideally he would like to be in the military, but he just wants to get his life on track.

Stockard told Keller, “At some point you've got to just decide if you're going to spend your time in the Nevada State Prison, or not … It seems like a history of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.” Stockard counseled Keller on the opportunities that exist if he takes advantage of them.

Judge Stockard granted probation on Count I, sentencing it as a felony and suspending 19- 48 months. He ordered Keller to meet with the FASTT Team within 48 hours of his release from custody and to obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow all recommendations.

On Count II, Stockard sentenced Keller to 30 days, with 21 days credit granted for time served and nine days suspended. Count II runs consecutively to Count I.