The Pershing County 11th Judicial met on Monday, July 20. The District Attorney’s Office participated by telephone. A sign on their door explained they were under quarantine until further notice. “I’m working from my living room with my laptop,” said DDA Todd Banks. Lisa Brannon from the Division of Parole and Probation also attended by phone.
Arraignment hearings
Joshua Jeremiah Eggers, 30, came to court from jail defended by David Houston. He faced an arraignment for involuntary manslaughter, a Category D felony. DA Bryce Shields represented the State of Nevada.
“On July 11 me and my brother went out drinking and got in an altercation. I fired a warning shot at him, but it hit him and killed him,” the defendant told the judge. The shooting occurred at their mother’s house on Apache Street in Imlay. The victim’s name was Michael Eggers.
In exchange for the guilty plea, the DA reduced the charges from open murder to involuntary manslaughter. The lesser crime carries a possible penalty of one to four years in prison, along with a $5,000 fine. It is a probation-eligible crime. Eggers agreed to plead guilty and not request release from jail until sentencing. The judge remanded him to custody and will sentence him on Oct. 5.
Corey Patrick Olsen also came to court from jail for arraignment. He pleaded guilty to gross misdemeanor charges of taking a vehicle without the owner’s permission. The crime occurred on Dec.11, 2019. According to court records, the vehicle was a 1998 Isuzu Rodeo worth about $1,000.
“I drove it away without the owner’s consent,” Olsen said.
Olsen faces the possibility of up to a year in jail but could be eligible for probation. He may have to pay restitution.
The judge authorized Olsen’s release from jail on several conditions, including abstaining from alcohol and marijuana. He’ll return to court for sentencing on Aug. 17.
Justin Dalton Wesley Ely, 30, came to court represented by LeAnn Schumann. He pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine, a gross misdemeanor. Ely faced the possibility of up to 364 days in jail and fines of up to $2,000 plus court costs. Schuman pointed out that he had no criminal history and was eligible for probation at the discretion of the court.
The judge sentenced him to 364 days in jail, suspended, with one year of informal probation.
Ely must violate no laws and forfeit $605. The State agreed to return his electronics with the possible exception of the SD card and flash drive. They were contaminated by controlled substances, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Sentencing hearings
On Jan. 27, 2020, Justin Charles Bonham, 23, was booked for burglary and grand larceny. On Monday, he came to court for sentencing. Kyle Swanson represented the defendant.
The judge sentenced Bonham to 12-32 months in prison on each of the two counts. The sentences will run consecutively with 85 days credit for time served.
Uriel Penas Castellanos, 73, appeared in the courtroom for a probation violation hearing, represented by Kyle Swanson. Chris Houghton interpreted the proceedings into Spanish for the defendant. Castellanos previously pleaded guilty to grand larceny of livestock. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, suspended, with two years probation.
Swanson acknowledged that his client failed to report, a technical violation. However, he had no intent to violate probation, according to the attorney.
Rafael Castellanos, the defendant’s only son, is an attorney in San Diego. He signed an affidavit about his father’s declining cognitive abilities, Exhibit A. Judge Shirley allowed him to participate in the conference call.
The judge granted Castellanos a dishonorable discharge. He must pay all fines, fees and restitution.
Other hearings
Maggie Kathleen Gallagher, 28, came to court defended by Steve Cochran. He reported that she’s graduated from Vitality Center and earned a sobriety chip. He called for reintegrating the defendant back into her community. The DA’s Office agreed. The judge scheduled a review hearing for Aug. 1
Brandon Keith Small came to court from jail for a probation violation based on rejection from boot camp.
“It’s not a program everyone makes it through,” said Cochran. “Mr. Small went into it with some baggage that most of us don’t have to carry. We haven’t unlocked the puzzle.” Cochran argued that Small’s substance abuse treatment would not take hold until the court addressed the underlying issues.
He asked for a higher level of care, similar to what a mental health court would offer.
DDA Banks disagreed and asked the judge to impose the 12-34 month prison sentence with credit for time served.
The judge remanded Small to custody and will sentence him on Aug. 17.
