Justice Court Aug. 20

New River Township Justice Court convened on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.

Jermyn Sanders pleaded guilty to Petit Larceny, a misdemeanor. Pursuant to plea negotiations, the remaining charges were dismissed.

Sanders, represented by Churchill County Deputy Public Defender Kenneth Tedford, paid $520 in restitution to Monarch Construction in full prior to sentencing.

Judge Trotter sentenced Sanders to 15 days in the Churchill County Jail, suspended for two years on the condition that he have no new criminal violations, excluding minor traffic offenses. 

Elan Fonseca pleaded guilty to Failure to Report an Accident. Pursuant to plea negotiations, the remaining two counts were dismissed. Fonseca was fined $500.

Martin Ibarra-Valdez appeared for sentencing on a second-offense DUI. A substance abuse evaluation had been required before sentencing due to his blood alcohol level and the fact that this was his second DUI within seven years.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford told the court that Ibarra-Valdez struck mailboxes while driving impaired, resulting in $871 in restitution. Sanford also noted that although the substance abuse evaluation indicated minimal problems, Ibarra-Valdez had subsequently violated Court Services conditions by consuming alcohol.

Judge Trotter sentenced Ibarra-Valdez to 50 days in the Churchill County Jail, with 30 days suspended for two years. After determining that Ibarra-Valdez was entitled to 13 days of credit for time served, seven days remained to be served. Ibarra-Valdez elected to serve the remaining jail time on weekends.

Trotter ordered Ibarra-Valdez to pay restitution within six months and imposed a $750 fine, along with required assessments and fees. He was also ordered to complete a live victim impact panel, 26 sessions of substance abuse counseling, and use an ignition interlock device on any vehicle he owns or operates for 12 months.

Trotter disagreed with the substance abuse evaluation's assessment of Ibarra-Valdez, citing his blood alcohol level and subsequent alcohol use while under Court Services supervision.

“I don't believe that the evaluation, frankly, is a good assessment of what's going on with you, Mr. Ibarra,” Trotter said.