Lake Township Justice Court

On Monday, May 6, the Sheriff’s Office brought several defendants to the 11th Judicial Court from the Pershing County jail.



Douglas Charles Anderson, 27, changed his plea to guilty in two gross misdemeanor cases – conspiracy to possess a controlled substance (heroin) and the unlawful possession of a hypodermic device. Each crime is punishable by 364 days in jail and fines of up to $2000. 

Anderson also pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of a controlled substance, methamphetamine. The Category E felony is punishable by 12-36 months in prison and fines of up to $5000. All three offenses qualify for probation.

The court sentences him on June 17.

Public Defender Steve Cochran noted that Anderson has gained clarity from seven months of sobriety while in jail.

“I would ask that if Mr. Anderson gets a bed date for inpatient treatment he be released for that before sentencing,” he said. “I would not want him to miss the opportunity.”

DDA Todd Banks acknowledged that Anderson could be a likable person and sometimes tries hard. But, based on Anderson’s history with the court, the DDA thought he might flee from a low-security scenario.

The judge recommended that Cochran help the defendant apply for treatment.

“If you get a bed date we’ll hold an emergency hearing,” he said.



Sheriff’s officers brought Matthew Dylan Koehler to court to face sentencing for possessing a credit card without the consent of the cardholder.

But questions arose about Koehler’s criminal history that could impact both his sentence and credit for time served. The judge asked Cochran and Banks to resolve the issues by the time the defendant returns to court for sentencing on May 20 at 8:15 a.m. 

The victim attended the hearing. To accommodate her, the judge read her statement aloud. “It’s just the idea that someone broke into my home,” she wrote, describing a sense of violation. The judge reminded her of her option to come back for the sentencing. 



Joseph Reith Grangruth contacted Winnemucca attorney Kyle Swanson to set up a hearing about an alleged probation violation. He allegedly wandered away from a drug treatment facility Swanson and the family found. 

Swanson sent notices about Monday’s hearing to the defendant’s last known address in Madison, Wisconsin. He also made repeated attempts to contact Grangruth by telephone to no avail. The defendant failed to appear. Judge Shirley ordered a no-bail bench warrant.



Jimmy Ray Hughes came to court from jail. The judge remanded his case to the Justice Court and returned him to custody.



Curtis Roy Frederickson paid $350 to the court to satisfy his debts and obligations.