On Monday, Mar. 15, Lovelock experienced one of the last wintery days of the year. In the words of one attorney, it was ‘snowing sideways.’ Nonetheless, the 11th Judicial Court convened with Judge Jim Shirley presiding. DDA Todd Banks argued on behalf of the State of Nevada. Steve Cochran and Kyle Swanson defended their clients.
Lisa Brannon from the Division of Parole and Probation attended the day’s hearings by telephone.
Michael James Gonzalez, 31, pleaded guilty to battery on a peace officer, a gross misdemeanor. Gonzalez admitted that on Nov. 12, 2020, he kicked Deputy Robert Abernathy in the face at the Pershing County Law Enforcement Center. The defendant did not use a deadly weapon, and there was no substantial bodily harm to the victim.
Gonzalez faces the possibility of a year in jail, fines of up to $2,000 or a combination of both. He’s eligible for probation at the court’s discretion. The judge will sentence him on May 17. Deputy Abernathy may give a victim impact statement.
Gonzalez was released on his own recognizance and must have no contact with the victim.
The judge continued Timothy Lee Bradley’s review hearing until Apr. 5 so that Dr. Herbert Coard of Reno can complete the court-ordered psychological evaluation. The defendant remains in jail.
Celia Dorrine Cardenas came to court from jail to face charges of violating the terms of her probation. “My client believes that removal from diversion, a judgment of conviction plus probation is in her best interest,” said Kyle Swanson. Diversion is a voluntary program of treatment that allows a defendant to avoid having a felony on their record.
Cardenas admitted to several probation violations, including failure to report, maintain employment or pay her supervision fees of $30 a month.
The judge removed Cardenas from the diversion program. He gave her a suspended sentence of 19-48 months with 18 months of probation plus an additional year if needed. First, she must serve six months of flat time in jail. She’ll get out around Sept. 15.
“I won’t be back here,” she told Judge Jim Shirley. “I’ve learned my lesson. You won’t see me again. I have my head on straight. I’m on the right path now with an amazing family that supports me.”
Giovanni Gonzelez-Silvestre came to court from jail to plead not guilty to domestic battery by strangulation, second offense. The 11th Judicial convicted Gonzalez for the first domestic battery offense in Mar. 2019.
If the State can prove the allegations, Gonzalez faces the possibility of one to five years in prison. He is eligible for probation at the discretion of the court. The judge set the trial for May 24 through 26.
Jake Owen Bokori failed to appear for his arraignment. PD Steve Cochran acknowledged that Bokori was made aware of the date at his preliminary hearing.
The judge said if Cochran could get hold of Bokori by noon, he’d hold off on the bench warrant. Otherwise, he would issue one.
The 11th Judicial Court arraigned James Ernest Burrows on charges of domestic battery by strangulation, a C felony. He also faces allegations of residential burglary with a deadly weapon and assault with a deadly weapon.
Burrows pleaded not guilty to all the allegations. DDA Banks and PD Cochran agreed that the trial would take about four days. It is set for Jun. 14 through 17 at 9 am. The defendant was released on his own recognizance and is to have no contact with the alleged victim or a potential witness.
He faces up to six years in prison but is eligible for probation at the court’s discretion.
Robert William Mattingly failed to appear for his review hearing.
Steve Cochran acknowledged that Mattingly “was not maintaining contact with several structures in the legal framework, including veteran’s affairs, individual counselors or parole and probation. Numerous entities are having trouble establishing or maintaining contact with him.”
DDA Banks entered two exhibits for the State. The first was a letter from Caroline Cova from the VA’s Office in Reno. The second was a letter from Vitality Center. He requested the judge to impose a bench warrant.
A defendant came to court because she graduated from the Pershing County out-of-state drug court program. The judge congratulated the defendant and allowed her to remove her guilty plea.
Tylor Anthony Palmer’s arraignment was continued until Apr. 5. at the request of his attorney, Kyle Swanson.
