March 28
Andreas Gerhard Lichtblau
Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicating Liquor
Plea: Guilty
Sentence: Fined $1,300.00, DUI School, Victim Impact Panel, Breath Interlock Device installed in vehicle for 12 months. 30 days in jail with credit being given for one day time served. Defendant to complete 24 hours of community service in lieu of one day jail time. The balance of 28 days are suspended for twelve months under the condition that there be no violation of laws other than minor traffic offense.
Driving on Wrong Side of Divided Highway – dismissed by DA.
Driving with Open Container – dismissed by DA.
Eric Christian Muller
Driving Under the Influence of Controlled Substance
Plea: Guilty
Sentence: Fined $685.00, DUI School, Victim Impact Panel. 30 days in jail with credit being given for one day time served. Defendant to complete 24 hours of community service in lieu of one day jail time. The balance of 28 days are suspended for twelve months under the condition that there be no violation of laws other than minor traffic offense.
On Monday Homero Torres, 31, from California, pleaded guilty to grand larceny theft.
“I was with somebody else when it happened,” he told Judge Jim Shirley. “I made an agreement with another person to do a robbery.”
Public Defender Steve Cochran represented the defendant. DDA Todd Banks explained the charges and possible penalties for the crime.
A court-provided interpreter translated from legalese to Spanish, the defendant’s native language.
The State charged Torres with conspiring to steal a necklace from the Lovelock Trading Post on Nov. 29, 2017. Unsuccessful, he’s spent the ensuing months in jail.
As part of his guilty plea agreement, Torres agreed to testify against his alleged co-conspirator, a Lovelock man.
“The plea is predicated on giving full, fair and accurate testimony,” said the judge.
The court could sentence Torres to up to 364 days in the Pershing County jail. He’s eligible for probation. The price tag for the attempted theft could include fines of up to $2,000 and restitution.
The Division of Parole and Probation will prepare a Presentencing Investigation Report, a tool to help the judge decide on a fair and just sentence.
Steve Cochran argued for his client’s release on his own recognizance.
“Mr. Torres has been in jail since the end of Nov.,” he said.
The judge granted the request on several conditions - including that Torres appear for all court cases including his sentencing on June 4, 2018.
On March 20, 2017, the court arraigned Kameron Wayne Smokey for the unlawful use of a controlled substance. He now faces probation violation charges. Steve Cochran defends Smokey. He’s retained Steve Evenson on a pending new charge.
The court continued his hearing until April 16, 2018.
Kevin Lanier Libbee faces several charges including the attempted fraudulent use of a credit card, obtaining money by false pretenses and forgery. The court continued his hearing until April 16, 2018.
Steve Cochran defends Libbee.
Javier Flores Valtierra faces charges of the unlawful use of a controlled substance. The court continued his arraignment until April 16, 2018.
Steve Cochran defends Valtierra.
Yurily Vasilievich Litvinchuk faces two charges - the possession of a controlled substance and possession of a credit card without the consent of the cardholder. The court may issue a bench warrant for failure to appear.
Gustavo Arteaga faced sentencing for first-degree arson, a gross misdemeanor. He communicated with the help of a court-provided interpreter.
Steve Cochran defended Arteaga.
The Public Defender said Arteaga suffered from hallucinations and delusions on the night he committed the Imlay arson, Nov. 12, 2017.
‘The arson was not a malicious act,” said Cochran. “Mr. Arteaga had some hallucinations that people were trying to get him. I think the most critical thing here is that this was not a crime of malice or passion. I’m happy to report that insurance did cover those structures.
Arteaga has been in the Pershing County jail for 142 days. The defense attorney requested the court to sentence his client to time served.
DDA Todd Banks disagreed.
“This was not the first time Mr. Arteaga has had brushes with the law with ties to potential substance abuse,” said Banks. “The fact remains that at the end of the day he entered a structure and set it on fire.”
DDA Banks asked the judge to follow the recommendations of Parole and Probation for 364 days in the Pershing County jail.
“The only thing I can say is that I regret what I did.” Arteaga. “I’m sorry, and I’m ready to take the consequences.”
The judge sentenced Arteaga to six months in jail. He granted 142 days credit for time served.
Anissa Marian Nunez came to court for a continued review hearing related to court fees. The judge set a follow-up hearing in 60 days.
David Blaine Avera, 50, pleaded guilty to the possession of a dangerous weapon, a blackjack. The court set his sentencing for June 4, 2018.