Teresa Moon
Dakota Hellena Doucette
Dakota Hellena Doucette’s arraignment was continued to Aug. 18.
Hayden Paul Sibley
Hayden Paul Sibley pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous drug without a prescription, a gross misdemeanor, and driving while his license was revoked for a DUI-related offense.
The drug charge carries a potential penalty of 264 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Because Sibley committed the driving offense during the revocation period, it carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 30 days in jail and a fine of at least $500.
Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer said the defense had applied for diversion.
Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford told the court that Sibley was already participating in drug court in another case. She asked that he be admitted to drug court on the possession charge and receive either the mandatory 30 days in jail or 60 days of house arrest on the driving charge, along with the minimum $500 fine.
Sommer requested 60 days of house arrest, to be served consecutively to another 60-day house-arrest sentence in a separate case. He said Sibley had learned important lessons and was making progress.
Sibley told Stockard that he knew he had made mistakes and acknowledged that he should not have been driving or taking medication that had not been prescribed to him.
Stockard suspended proceedings on the possession charge and placed Sibley on probation. In addition to the standard conditions of probation, Sibley must enter and complete the Western Regional Drug Court and obtain full-time employment within 60 days.
On the driving charge, Stockard sentenced Sibley to 60 days of house arrest and imposed the mandatory $500 fine. Fees and assessments were also imposed.
Susan Rae Rissler
Susan Rae Rissler pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Category E felony punishable by one to four years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
The defense submitted an application for diversion that included substance abuse and mental health evaluations.
Sanford said the state had no objection to diversion under the plea agreement.
Churchill County Deputy Public Defender Jeffrey Weed said Rissler had been doing well and described her as an ideal candidate for diversion.
“I am grateful that I got caught because I needed to be stopped, and I need to be accountable,” Rissler told Stockard. She said she felt more like herself than she had in a long time.
Stockard granted the diversion request and placed Rissler on probation. She must enter and successfully complete the Western Regional Drug Court and follow the recommendations of her evaluations. Fees and assessments were imposed.
Paul Lee Jr.
Paul Lee Jr., in custody, appeared for sentencing on a Category D felony charge of a convicted sex offender providing false or misleading information. He pleaded guilty in March.
Sanford said the state would remain silent under the plea agreement.
Sommer told the court that Lee had secured a bed date at Steps to New Freedom and that the defense was working to arrange payment for the program. He requested a two-week continuance.
Stockard continued sentencing to July 20.
Brianne Katrine Hansen
Brianne Katrine Hansen, in custody, appeared for sentencing on a Category C felony charge of offering, attempting or committing an unauthorized act involving a controlled or prohibited substance. Hansen pleaded guilty April 28.
Sanford said Hansen had sold drugs for financial gain, including 7.4 grams for $80 on one occasion and 14.5 grams for $200 on another.
The state requested the maximum prison sentence, suspended, with Hansen placed on probation.
Sanford said the sentence should encourage Hansen to take advantage of the opportunity to become a productive member of the community and recognize that bringing methamphetamine and other controlled substances into the community was unacceptable.
Weed said the defense appreciated the state’s recommendation. He noted that Hansen had spent 75 days in custody and said her conduct occurred shortly after her sister was diagnosed with cancer and died.
Hansen apologized to the court.
“I know what I did was wrong, and there’s no excuse for it,” she said.
Stockard told Hansen that the quantities involved in the controlled purchases were close to the amount that would have required a mandatory prison sentence.
Hansen was sentenced to 24 to 60 months in prison. The sentence was suspended, and she was placed on probation for two years.
She must obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow its recommendations. Hansen will remain in custody until the evaluation is completed. Fees and assessments were imposed.
Teasha Marie Arrich-Rupley
Teasha Marie Arrich-Rupley, in custody, appeared for sentencing on two gross misdemeanor charges: battery on an officer, health care provider, school employee, taxicab driver, transit operator or sports official; and abuse, neglect or endangerment of a child not causing substantial physical or mental harm.
Arrich-Rupley pleaded guilty April 22 and had spent 161 days in custody. An evaluation found her to be at moderate risk of reoffending.
Sanford asked the court to impose a severe sentence and said Arrich-Rupley needed to accept responsibility for her conduct.
“We would ask this court to send a message to this defendant that this type of behavior cannot be tolerated,” Sanford said. “There are no excuses. There is no blaming others.”
Sanford said Arrich-Rupley used her children “as both a sword and a shield,” placing a child in danger while attempting to prevent law enforcement officers from making an arrest.
According to Sanford, an officer attempted to protect the child and was injured when Arrich-Rupley struck her.
Sanford also cited an evaluation that identified patterns of blaming others, minimizing conduct, making excuses and portraying herself as a victim. She said Arrich-Rupley had not adequately acknowledged the danger she created for the officer or her children.
Sommer said Arrich-Rupley had been provisionally admitted to drug court, was doing well and was seeking placement in an inpatient treatment program.
He asked the court to impose consecutive suspended sentences, place her on probation and formally admit her to the Western Regional Drug Court and mental health court.
Sommer said Arrich-Rupley’s conduct arose from the intersection of substance abuse and mental health issues. He cited another evaluation that found she could benefit from a highly structured residential treatment program with integrated psychiatric care.
Arrich-Rupley told Stockard she would never intentionally place her children in harm’s way. She said she wanted to return home to them and had learned her lesson.
“I’m hoping that you would know that I’m sorry for anything that you’re mad about,” she said.
The injured Fallon Police Department officer read a victim impact statement describing the professional and personal effects of the incident.
The officer said she responded to a report of a woman and children sleeping in a vehicle. Arrich-Rupley ignored repeated commands to put the child down, continued to struggle and struck the officer in the face as the officer attempted to protect the child.
The officer later learned she had dislocated a bone in her wrist. Her wrist was placed in a cast, and she underwent physical therapy. The injury interrupted her training and caused concern about her job stability.
She said the injury also prevented her from participating in activities with her family, including jumping on the trampoline with her children, running and lifting weights.
“I believe accountability is an important part of the justice system,” the officer said. “Teasha’s actions caused real and lasting consequences for me, my family and the other officers involved in the incident.”
The officer said she did not believe probation alone would adequately address the seriousness of the conduct.
Stockard imposed consecutive sentences of 364 days in jail on each count, for an aggregate sentence of 728 days. The sentences were suspended, and Arrich-Rupley was placed on probation.
She must enter and successfully complete the Western Regional Specialty Court, follow all recommendations from her evaluations and remain in custody until released by the specialty court.
Stockard told Arrich-Rupley that she could benefit from specialty court but said her perception of the incident was significantly distorted.
“This conduct is reprehensible,” Stockard said.
He told Arrich-Rupley she was fortunate she had not been charged with felony battery causing substantial bodily harm.
“It is 100% on you. It wasn’t them,” Stockard said, referring to law enforcement. “This conduct is completely, completely unacceptable.”
Fees and assessments were imposed.
Rueben Job Conkle
Rueben Job Conkle, in custody, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a Category E felony, and attempted fraudulent use of a credit or debit card or identifying information associated with a card.
The possession charge carries a potential sentence of one to four years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
The attempted fraudulent-use charge is a “wobbler,” meaning it may be sentenced as either a gross misdemeanor or a felony. As a gross misdemeanor, it carries up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. As a felony, it carries one to four years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
Stockard ordered a presentence investigation report and scheduled sentencing for Sept. 8.
Conkle was provisionally admitted to the Western Regional Drug Court.
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