The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, August 4 with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, August 4, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

Clayton Shelby Reynolds appeared for arraignment on Possession of a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), a Category E Felony punishable by 1 – 4 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Reynolds pleaded no contest, and sentencing was initially set for Oct. 26. He was also provisionally admitted into the Western Nevada Regional Drug Court Program.

When Judge Stockard asked Reynolds what a drug test would show if he were tested that day, Reynolds said he would test positive. He subsequently tested positive for methamphetamine.

Judge Stockard then vacated the arraignment and continued the case to Aug. 11. Reynolds will be tested again before court. Sentencing will be reset at that time.

Angela Marie Westerlund appeared for sentencing in two cases.

In the first case, Westerlund was convicted of Attempt to Commit Home Invasion, a Category C Felony. The second case included three counts: Count I – Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, a Category C Felony; Count II – Buying, Possessing, or Receiving Stolen Property, a Category C Felony; and Count III – Unlawful Occupancy, a Gross Misdemeanor.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford argued that while Westerlund is eligible for diversion, she should not be granted that privilege. Sanford cited Nevada law, saying, “The requirement for diversion is that they, quote, suffer from a substance abuse disorder or any co-occurring disorder.”

Sanford questioned Westerlund's statements regarding her marijuana use. She noted Westerlund initially said, “I don't do drugs, I just do marijuana occasionally,” and later reported in her substance abuse evaluation, “I only use marijuana. And I can quit when I want; for example, when I'm court ordered or am pregnant.”

“She is not the type of candidate that’s supposed to be for that program [diversion],” Sanford argued. “Drug Court is meant for drug addicts who cannot control themselves.” The State argued that Westerlund's assertion that she can stop using marijuana when she chooses weighs against diversion.

Sanford then addressed the circumstances involving three victims. She said Westerlund and her boyfriend entered a rustic home on the outskirts of the area while the owner was away, with that victim seeking $3,000 in restitution. A second victim sought $740 after batteries equipped with trackers were taken from a water truck that had broken down and was temporarily left behind. A third victim sought $1,500 after another residence, whose owner lives out of state, was entered.

The State asked Judge Stockard to sentence Westerlund as he saw fit. If probation was granted, Sanford asked that maximum sentences be imposed consecutively.

Churchill County Senior Deputy Public Defender Jeffery Weed said his client recognizes the severity of her situation and that she is facing multiple felonies. He pointed out that the offenses involved property rather than violence against another person. Weed said Westerlund and her boyfriend had been traveling when they broke down and stayed for several days on property that appeared abandoned.

Weed also challenged the restitution amounts requested by the State. “What we don’t have detailed by the State regarding restitution is what was recovered, what was not,” he said, noting that many of the items were recovered.

Weed disagreed with the State's reasoning regarding diversion. He characterized Sanford's argument as essentially saying that although a professional determined Westerlund has an addiction, her ability to stop using drugs at times means she should not receive diversion. Weed argued the opposite, saying it demonstrates that Westerlund can comply with supervision.

Westerlund “has been doing what she can to own up to this, to get the help that she needs,” Weed said. He noted that she has complied with what the court and Drug Court have asked of her, has no prior felony convictions, and is seeking the opportunity to keep her record clean. Weed also quoted from Westerlund's evaluation, which stated that she “demonstrates motivation for change, is interested in continuing with services” addressing substance use and mental health.

The defense asked the court to grant Westerlund diversion or probation with minimum sentences running concurrently.

Westerlund told the court she appreciated the opportunities she had been offered through the program.

Judge Stockard ordered restitution of $450, finding the amounts requested were too speculative. Westerlund was ordered to pay restitution within six months at a rate of $75 per month.

Stockard suspended proceedings and placed Westerlund on probation with the condition that she enter and complete the Western Nevada Regional Drug Court Program. She was also ordered to obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow the recommendations.

“This is an opportunity I hope you take advantage of,” Stockard told Westerlund.

David Jason Christy, in custody, appeared for sentencing on the Category B Felony of Failure to Stop on the Signal of a Peace Officer, and the Category D Felony of Changing, Altering, Removing, or Obliterating the Serial Number on a Firearm.

Deputy District Attorney Lane Mills began the State's argument, telling the court, “As you can see, he is no longer a young man. He was just making dumb mistakes.” Mills then recounted Christy's criminal history, which includes Robbery, Burglary, Ex-Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Kidnapping With Use of a Deadly Weapon, and previous revocations of both probation and parole. Mills said the current offenses occurred while Christy was on parole in a Washoe County case.

“In the State's eye, he is not somebody who should be granted the privilege of probation,” Mills said. The State asked for a prison sentence.

Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer said his client understands the State's position, acknowledges that he should not have been driving, knows he placed several people in jeopardy, and is remorseful.

“This is simply a decision by the defendant to fall back into substance abuse after having been paroled,” Sommer said. He noted that Christy has a support system and recognizes that he has made some terrible mistakes.

The defense asked the court to impose maximum consecutive sentences and then grant probation. If probation was not granted, Sommer asked for minimum sentences to run concurrently.

“Mr. Christy … is inclined to take responsibility without question,” Sommer said. “He didn't play games in this case; … and he was forthright with [law enforcement] about what occurred … he has been willing and able to take the responsibility that he needs to.”

Christy apologized to the court, law enforcement, and the people of Churchill County. “I put a lot of people at risk that night, and I just want to say I'm sorry for that.” He spoke about having a difficult childhood and said that, with the support of his mother, he had made changes in his life.

“I just beg you to have leniency, Your Honor, and I take responsibility for what I did,” Christy said. “I just ask for forgiveness from everybody.”

Judge Stockard sentenced Christy to 24 – 60 months in prison on the Category B Felony, and a consecutive 19 – 48 months on the Category D Felony, for an aggregate sentence of 43 – 108 months in prison.

Christy was remanded to the custody of the Churchill County Sheriff's Office for imposition of the sentence.

Johnathon Barajas, in custody, admitted to a non-technical sentencing violation of absconding.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford told the court, “Eight hundred and eight days. That's how long he was absconding from probation.” Sanford said Barajas absconded from May 8, 2024, to July 25, 2026, adding that he had 808 opportunities to make things right.

The State asked that Barajas' probation be revoked and the underlying sentence imposed.

Churchill County Public Defender Jacob Sommer began the defense argument, “I realize that when we look at the objective facts of the case, this court is very likely to just simply revoke Mr. Barajas and require that he serve the underlying sentence. And that would be reasonable.”

Sommer provided “a bit of context,” acknowledging that his client did not check in, communicate, or otherwise comply with Parole and Probation. However, during the time Barajas was absconding, Sommer said he was employed full-time at a mine, maintained a home, and supported his family.

The defense asked that Barajas be reinstated on probation and serve three days in jail.

Barajas told Judge Stockard, “I know what I did was wrong, I understand that fully, and I apologize.” He said he wants to continue supporting his family.

Judge Stockard dishonorably discharged Barajas from probation, telling him, “You don't deserve it.”

Steven Glenn Baltazar’s arraignment was continued to August 11.