District Court April 21

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, April 21, with Judge William Maddox presiding. 

Jason Manuel Rothert appeared for sentencing on the Category C felony of Non-support of a Spouse, Former Spouse, or a Child, to which he pleaded guilty in September 2024.

Deputy District Attorney Priscilla Baker told Judge Maddox the defendant has made his monthly payments; therefore, Rothert was allowed to withdraw his plea to the Category C felony. An amended information was filed, changing the charge to a gross misdemeanor of Conspiracy to Commit Non-support of a Child, to which the defendant pleaded guilty.

Baker noted Rothert has “exceeded the agreement of paying on time and in full for over a year.” The State asked for probation with an underlying sentence of 364 days in the Churchill County Jail.

Churchill County Alternate Public Defender Wright Noel agreed with the State, saying his client has made all his payments and has made significant changes in his life. The defense also requested a suspended sentence.

Rothert gave a detailed explanation of the history of the case to Judge Maddox, who found a factual basis for the charge.

Judge Maddox sentenced Rothert to 30 days in jail, suspended, and placed him on probation for 12 months with the condition that he continue to make timely payments.

Justin Poindexter, in custody, pleaded guilty to Non-support of a Spouse, Former Spouse, or a Child, a Category C felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

As agreed in the plea agreement, both the State and the defense requested that sentencing be set for one year. If, during that time, the defendant makes consistent payments as set by the court, the charge may be amended to a gross misdemeanor.

Judge Maddox set sentencing for April 27, 2027, to allow Poindexter to demonstrate consistent child support payments and ordered Poindexter to be released on his own recognizance.

Teasha Marie Arrich-Rupley, in custody, pleaded guilty to two gross misdemeanor counts.

Count I – Battery on an Officer, Provider of Health Care, School Employee, Taxicab Driver, Transit Operator, or Sports Official. Count II – Abuse, Neglect, or Endangerment of a Child not causing substantial physical or mental harm. Each count is punishable by up to 364 days in the Churchill County Jail and a fine of up to $2,000, and may run concurrently or consecutively.

Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer addressed his client’s custodial status, noting Arrich-Rupley has been in custody since January 28. He requested that she be released and provisionally placed into the Western Nevada Regional Specialty Court with Court Services supervision.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford agreed with Sommer’s recommendation, stating that based on the totality of the circumstances, the state supports provisional placement in Specialty Court.

Judge Maddox granted the request and provisionally placed Arrich-Rupley in Specialty Court, ordered a PSI, and set sentencing for June 23.

Daniel Alexander Dinwiddie-Porter, in custody, pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled or Prohibited Substance (methamphetamine), a Category E felony punishable by 1-4 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Judge Maddox set sentencing for May 19 and provisionally placed Dinwiddie-Porter into the Western Nevada Regional Specialty Court program.