District Court March 24

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened on Tuesday, March 24, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

James Donald Doutre, in custody, pleaded guilty to the Category E Felony of Possession of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), a first or second offense punishable by 1–4 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.

After reviewing Doutre’s criminal history and noting that it largely consists of substance abuse-related offenses, Judge Stockard provisionally placed Doutre into the Western Nevada Regional Specialty Court program with the condition of daily check-ins with Court Services.

Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for May 26.

Christopher Alan Burnside admitted to a third technical violation of the no-alcohol provision.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills noted Burnside has repeatedly violated probation, is homeless, unemployed, has not paid $3 or $25 restitution, but continues purchasing alcohol and marijuana.

The state requested temporary probation revocation and a 90-day jail term for Burnside.

Churchill County Alternate Public Defender (APD) Wright Noel told the court the defense had no objection to the 90 days. Noel said he believes the time will be beneficial and may help his client get back on track.

Judge Stockard temporarily revoked Burnside’s probation for 90 days, cautioning that a fourth violation may result in the underlying sentence being imposed.

Justin Alvin Matheus, in custody, pleaded guilty to two counts of Battery that Constitutes Domestic Battery by Strangulation, Category C felonies punishable by 1–5 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
APD Wright Noel requested that Matheus be allowed to enter the Salvation Army long-term residential treatment program with the condition that he return to custody upon leaving, whether he completes the program or leaves prematurely.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford said the plea agreement was made with the knowledge and approval of the victim.
Judge Stockard ordered a PSI, set sentencing for May 26, ordered Matheus released directly to the Salvation Army program, and told Matheus that if he leaves and does not return himself to custody, a warrant will be issued.

Derek Vradenburg-Wheeler, in custody, appeared for sentencing on Battery by a Probationer, Parolee, or a Prisoner in Lawful Custody, to which he pleaded guilty in December.

Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker noted the state and the defense had come to a global resolution that included another case, and the defendant agreed to pay $1,210 in restitution in that matter.

Defense attorney Charles Woodman told the court that his client was on probation when he got into a fight, “It was a stupid disagreement between two guys that were actually friends.” Woodman said his client has come to realize there is no way to avoid a battery conviction. He punched somebody while he was on probation.

Woodman asked the court to look realistically at whether this is a case in which Vradenburg-Wheeler goes back to prison or not, and to “fashion an appropriate resolution to this case based on what happened.”

Vradenburg-Wheeler told the court, “I made a mistake, and I own my mistake.”

Judge Stockard sentenced Vradenburg-Wheeler to 12–36 months in prison, which will run consecutively to the defendant’s prior case.

Cecil Mark Riggs Jr., in custody, appeared for sentencing on the Category B Felony of Assault with a Deadly Weapon, to which he pleaded guilty under special conditions in December, and for disposition on a non-technical sentencing violation he also admitted to in December.

Defense attorney Charles Woodman told the court Riggs had been accepted into the Salvation Army Program, describing it as rigorous and potentially life-changing. Woodman said his client was not taking prescribed medication at the time of the offense and described related behavioral issues. He said in both the new charge and the probation violation, Riggs was not compliant with treatment, believed he saw a threatening message, and reacted by pulling a knife and swinging it, though no one was physically injured.

The defense asked the court to allow Riggs to enter the Salvation Army Program, stating it could make a meaningful difference in his life.

Riggs told the court, “If given this opportunity, I will make the most of it,” adding he was not asking for a handout but a chance to improve. “Things are looking a lot different now with my medications … and I just throw myself on the mercy of the court.”

Chief Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills acknowledged the efforts of defense counsel and the Churchill County Forensic Assessment Services Triage Team, but said the Salvation Army is not a mental health program. He argued the court must consider community safety, noting Riggs’s history and the risk posed if he fails to remain compliant with treatment. Mills said there were three victims in the case and argued that the threat of harm alone was significant.

Judge Stockard revoked probation and imposed the underlying sentence for the violation.

On the Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Judge Stockard sentenced Riggs to 19–48 months in prison, to run consecutive to the prior case. Riggs was remanded to the custody of the Churchill County Sheriff.

Michelle Yvonne Read's sentencing was continued to May 5.  

Charles Ray Bowie Jr's arraignment was continued to March 31. 

David Steven Haskin’s status hearings were continued to March 31.

Matthew Dean Goodner’s sentencing was continued to May 5; a supplemental Pre-Sentence Investigative Report was ordered.

Visit thefallonpost.org for the remainder of the hearings on the March 24 District Court calendar.