At an arraignment the court informs the defendant of the charges against them. The defendant pleads guilty, not guilty or no contest. On Monday, June 18, the 11th Judicial Court arraigned four defendants.
Sergio Daniel Reyes pleaded not guilty to charges of transporting a controlled substance, heroin. He faces the possibility of one to six years in prison, fines of up to 10,000 or a combination of both. The offense qualifies for probation at the discretion of the court. The judge set the jury trial for Sept. 9 through Sept. 11.
Kyle Swanson requested a continuance on the arraignment of his client, Donald Ray Lamont Wanner. Wanner faces allegations of possessing a stolen vehicle. The court appointed Swanson on June 5, 2019. The Winnemucca defense lawyer wanted more time to follow up and investigate. The court rescheduled the arraignment for June 5.
The court continued Justin D. Bates arraignment on sexual assault charges until Friday, June 21. On Friday, the court set the trial for Sept. 9-12. DA Bryce Shields will argue on behalf of the State of Nevada. Steve Cochran will represent the defendant.
Steven Wendell Sallaz, 27, came to court from jail. He pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, a Category E felony. Kyle Swanson represents the defendant. The judge will sentence Sallaz on Sept. 4.
Sallaz’s custody status expires on June 28. His lawyer asked the judge to release Sallaz to the pre- drug court program at that time, if eligible. The defendant also faces charges in Carson City and Washoe County.
“It would be beneficial to him to take care of the pending charges,” said Swanson.
The judge asked Swanson to prepare a written motion within the next 11 days. The State has five days to respond.
Javier Flores Valtierra is currently an inmate at NDOC. He was not present for his probation violation and revocation hearing. The judge asked DDA Banks to prepare an order for prison officials to bring Valtierra to court on July 15.
Court sets trial date for Lovelock woman accused of embezzlement
On Wednesday, June 19, the 11th Judicial Court set a date for Jennifer Marie Montes’s embezzlement trial. She denies the allegations. Steve Evenson represents Montes. DDA Todd Banks will argue on behalf of the State of Nevada.
Banks estimated that the trial could take two to three days. In Evenson’s estimate it could last three to four days. They scheduled the trial for Nov. 12 through Nov. 15.
On Nov. 12 jury selection begins at 1 p.m. The remaining three days the trial starts at 9 a.m.
Evenson asked if the State and court would consider a settlement conference, pursuant to the Nevada Supreme Court rule.
On May 3, 2019, the Nevada Supreme Court set statewide rules about the use of settlement conferences in criminal cases. With the permission of the trial judge, a settlement judge tries to mediate a solution acceptable to all parties.
Since its inception in 1997, the settlement program has resolved 52 percent of its cases. In the absence of an agreement, the case returns to the trial judge.
There are 38 settlement judges in Nevada. Their biographies appear on the Nevada Judiciary’s website. Judge Shirley is bound by the results of the agreement, if any. The court set the date of Montes’s settlement conference for Aug. 15.
For more information see nvcourts.gov.
