Curtis Roy Frederickson came to court for a fee hearing. He agreed to pay outstanding restitution charges of $350 within 90 days. Public Defender Steve Cochran noted that the defendant is now current on his other court fees, employed and doing well on probation. The court scheduled a follow-up hearing for April 4, 2019.
Jake William Moore came to court for a status hearing. He has six months to pay $838 in court fees.
Sheriff’s officers brought Vincent Vizgaudis to court from jail for a probation violation hearing. The defendant admitted to the violations.
In July 2018 Judge Shirley sentenced Vizgaudis to 12-32 months in the Nevada Department of Corrections for the possession of a controlled substance, heroin. The judge suspended the sentence, granting probation, not to exceed five years.
According to court records, Vizgaudis failed to report to the Division of Parole and Probation after his release from jail. The Division was unable to determine his address or employment.
Vizgaudis also admitted to traveling out of state without the permission of the Division of Parole and Probation. Ultimately, he turned himself in to law enforcement.
On Monday the judge revoked the defendant’s probation and imposed the original prison sentence for the Category E felony(with 166 days credit for time served).
“There are consequences for actions,” the judge told the defendant. “If you come to court on a felony and are given some breaks, you should take advantage of those breaks.”
Kristopher Lee Gordon Jaye did not appear for his arraignment on charges of possessing a controlled substance. He was unable to get across the Donner Summit due to severe weather conditions according to his attorney, Richard Davies. Jaye remained stranded in Calif. The judge granted a continuance until Feb. 20, 2019.
Pershing County Sheriff’s Officers brought Jose Ignacio Bernal-Pena, 28, to court for his arraignment. Chris Houghton translated for the defendant, a Spanish speaker. Bernal-Pena pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen vehicle, a 2017 Toyota Prius.
DDA Banks explained the possible penalties. Bernal-Pena faces one to ten years in prison and fines of up to $10,000 for the Category B felony. He may be eligible for probation. The judge remanded the defendant to the custody of the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office.
The Division of Parole and Probation, represented by Lisa Brannon, will prepare a presentence investigation report for the judge. Judge Shirley sentences the defendant on March 18, 2018.
They came from as far as California and as near as the Pershing County Jail. Several defendants passed through the 11th Judicial Courtroom on Monday, Jan. 7. Judge Jim Shirley presided.
Jennifer Marie Montes, 36, from Lovelock, pleaded not guilty to three counts of felony embezzlement. Her attorney, Steve Evenson, plans to file a writ of habeas corpus. The judge will determine if the proceedings against Montes can lawfully continue or if law enforcement or the State violated her Constitutional rights.
Evenson agreed to file the document by March 1, 2019. The State, represented by Deputy District Attorney (DDA) Todd Banks, has until March 22, 2019, to respond.
Montes stands accused of embezzling funds from the Lovelock Youth Softball Association’s Wells Fargo account during the summer of 2017. The defendant faces one to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000 on each count along with mandatory restitution. The alleged offenses are probatable.
The court scheduled a follow-up hearing for April 15, 2019.
At his Nov. 5, 2018 arraignment, Dennis Eugene Castillo pleaded guilty to grand larceny, a Category C felony. On Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, Castillo came to court for sentencing.
Lori Ann Quilici gave a Victim Impact Statement on behalf of her employer, C Punch Inn and Casino, the victim of the theft. Quilici spoke of the staff’s disappointment in Castillo. “We feel he should be punished for what he’s done,” she concluded.
“As Mr. Castillo notes, in haste and anger he took things that were not his, incorrectly so.” said Steve Cochran, the public defender. “There was no malicious destruction of property.” The attorney also noted Castillo’s lack of felony history.
DDA Banks said he appreciated the defendant’s forthrightness. Both sides of the bench found Castillo cooperative, they said.
“But, he breached the trust of his employer,” added the DDA. “The actions he took are inexcusable.”
The judge sentenced Castillo to 12-36 months in the Nevada Department of Corrections, suspended, with probation not to exceed five years. In addition to $178 in court costs, Castillo must pay $500 in restitution to C Punch.
The 11th Judicial Court arraigned Joel Mario Machiorlatti, 37, on gross misdemeanor charges. Machiorlatti, from Calif., pleaded guilty to possessing a dangerous drug without a prescription.
By his own admission, the defendant tried to smuggle a nonpaying customer into Burning Man on Aug. 31, 2017. The discovery of the stowaway led law enforcement to search the vehicle. Officers found the contraband.
“I had amphetamine at Burning Man,” admitted the defendant. Machiortlatti volunteered that he now takes medication for both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
The judge ascertained that the psychotropics would not interfere with the defendant’s ability to comprehend and participate in the hearing.
“No, they won’t interfere,” Machiorlatti replied. “They make it so I understand what is going on.”
DDA Banks explained the possible penalties for the crime. They include up to 364 days in jail, fines and court fees. Judges have the latitude to suspend the sentence and impose probation instead of jail time.
Under the terms of the guilty plea agreement, the State dismissed one count of distributing controlled substances. Distribution, if proven, carries a potential prison sentence.
Steve Evenson spoke on behalf of his client.
“Mr. Machiorlatti is one of those rare birds who changed long before he came to court,” said the attorney.
Evenson attributed the change to Machiorlatti’s participation in psychiatric treatment, including medication.
“When I first met the defendant he had mental health issues,” Evenson said. “His demeanor and attitude on the phone were challenging. But, over the last year, he’s become the young man to my right- not the kid that was trying to smuggle somebody into Burning Man. He looks and acts completely different.”
Judge Shirley gave Machiorlatti 364 days in jail, suspended. Machiorlatti will serve probation for up to three years and pay a $2,000 fine and court fees. The terms and conditions of his probation require him to continue mental health treatment.