Justice Court - June 4

Several felony and domestic battery cases moved through New River Township Justice Court on Thursday, June 4, before Judge Benjamin Trotter.

Louis Affraidofhawk appeared on two cases, including a felony matter alleging Child Abuse or Neglect with Substantial Bodily or Mental Harm and Assault with Use of a Deadly Weapon, Category B felony, punishable by 2 to 20 years in state prison. According to the court calendar, Affraidofhawk was represented by Senior Deputy Public Jeffrey Weed. The felony case is expected to be waived to district court, while a related misdemeanor matter was continued.

The court also addressed Affraidofhawk’s custody status after a new allegation involving alcohol. The state opposed his release on his own recognizance, arguing he had previously been released with conditions that included no new criminal violations and no use of drugs or alcohol. The state said a breath test showed a blood-alcohol concentration over the legal limit.

Trotter agreed to release Affraidofhawk under additional conditions, including an ankle monitor that detects alcohol use. The judge told him there would not be a third opportunity and that he would not be released until the monitor was installed. Affraidofhawk was ordered to return to court on June 11.

Kaycee Bottini appeared from custody on two new felony Failure to Appear charges related to cases dating back to 2023. Bottini, a New Mexico resident, was picked up at Reno-Tahoe International Airport after agreeing to extradition, according to statements made in court.

The court appointed the Churchill County Public Defender’s Office to represent Bottini after learning that her previous attorney, Douglas Vermoyl, is deceased. The state opposed release, citing prior failures to appear and arguing Bottini was a flight risk with no local resources or community ties.

Trotter denied Bottini’s request for release on her own recognizance, finding clear and convincing reasons to require bail. He said the state had incurred significant expense bringing her back across state lines after she failed to appear for prior court hearings. The case was continued to June 11.

Jose Diaz-Macias appeared with attorney Charles Woodman on pending cases that include Evading or Failing to Stop on the Signal of a Peace Officer, Endangering Other Person or Property, a second-offense DUI, and Driving with a Revoked Driver’s License. Woodman asked to withdraw from the case, telling the court he could no longer effectively represent Diaz-Macias.

The state did not oppose the request but noted the cases had been pending since last year and that the matter had been close to resolving before breaking down. Trotter granted Woodman’s request to withdraw, vacated a preliminary hearing set for the following week, and said new counsel would be appointed.

The court also addressed Diaz-Macias’s custody status and bail. After further discussion with court services, Trotter revoked bail or any own-recognizance release on all applicable cases based on new charges and set total bondable bail at $36,135. Diaz-Macias was ordered back to court on June 11.

Reuben Conkle appeared with Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer on three cases, including allegations of using credit or debit card information without consent, Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance Less Than 14 Grams, and Unlawful Occupancy of Real Property.

Sommer told the court the parties had reached a negotiated resolution. Under the agreement, Conkle will plead guilty to Attempted Use of a Credit Card, reduced to a gross misdemeanor or Category E felony, and to misdemeanor trespassing in a second case. The state said it would seek $14 in restitution related to missing cash from a wallet and agreed not to oppose Conkle’s release to Court Services supervision.

Trotter accepted Conkle’s waiver of preliminary hearing and allowed him an opportunity for release under Court Services supervision. Conditions included no use of alcohol, drugs, or marijuana, drug testing before release, and continued testing as directed.

Michael Beasley appeared for sentencing on a Domestic Battery, First Offense charge. The state said victim notification had been completed, but the victim was not present, and no victim letter had been received.

Trotter sentenced Beasley to 30 days in the Churchill County Jail, suspending 28 days for two years. Beasley received credit for five days served, leaving 25 suspended. He was ordered to have no new criminal violations, complete 48 hours of community service within four months, pay $340 in fines and assessments at $50 per month beginning July 1, and complete 26 weekly domestic violence or anger management counseling sessions within 12 months.