Crossing the Line – Tullis Sentenced for Assault and Domestic Battery with Strangulation

Jonathan Joshua Tullis, in custody, appeared for sentencing in the Tenth Judicial District Court on March 31 before Judge Thomas Stockard. He is charged with Category B Felony of Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Category C Felony of Battery that Constitutes Domestic Violence Committed by Strangulation, to which he pleaded guilty in February.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford referenced the defendant’s statement included in the Pre-Sentence Investigation, in which he admitted, “There is no excuse for my actions. I know I should not drink; and I crossed the line.” Sanford argued the defendant must still be held responsible, stating Tullis “did a little more than cross the line; … not only did he cross the line, he strangled it; not only did he cross the line, he threatened it with a knife.”

Sanford noted the defendant has 16 misdemeanor convictions over the past 22 years, including harassment, multiple batteries, violating restraining orders, disorderly conduct, domestic abuse, and theft-related offenses. She said alcohol is an issue for Tullis and that he has demonstrated an inability to follow rules. She told the court, “We're hoping this lengthy prison sentence will be a wakeup call for him … but you can't threaten someone with a knife; you can’t put your hands around her throat and squeeze it … that cannot be tolerated.”

The state asked for concurrent sentences of 24–72 months and 24–60 months in the Nevada Department of Corrections.

Churchill County Senior Deputy Public Defender Jeffrey Weed told the court, “We all know what's going to happen today, that Jonathan is going to go to prison.” Weed said his client has taken responsibility from the beginning and acknowledged the conduct. He noted the defendant’s long history of substance abuse, beginning at a young age, but said there was a period from 2012 to 2025 with only one criminal case related to relapse.

Weed said that while incarceration is expected, the defendant has been working with Churchill County Forensic Assessment Services Triage Team (FASTT) while in custody. FASTT works with defendants to connect them to various resources, such as substance abuse treatment programs. He said Tullis had been accepted into a treatment program in Tennessee upon release. Weed asked for minimum sentences on both counts to run concurrently.

Judge Stockard sentenced Tullis to 19–60 months in prison on each count, to run concurrently. Tullis was remanded to the custody of the sheriff for imposition of the sentence.