In Sept. 2021 the PCSO booked Christopher Lee Martin, then 44, for failure to register as a sex offender. He came to court from jail on Monday for sentencing. He was picked up on a bench warrant for failure to appear at his previous sentencing.
“The reality is he’s violated his end of the plea bargain by failing to appear in court multiple times,” said Deputy District Attorney Todd Banks. “He’s playing a game of chicken with this court.”
As for the failure to register, Steve Cochran argued that the crime of omission came to the attention of law enforcement during a traffic stop. “They did not find out about it through any activity on the defendant’s part but through a discussion on the roadside,” he said. “The matter has been fixed. Registration has occurred. There was no victim in this crime.”
The judge delayed sentencing for two weeks and remanded Martin to the custody of the Sheriff. Martin has applied to New Frontier for substance abuse treatment.
“I want to see you get into the program,” said the judge. Martin returns to court on May 4.
The judge granted Monty Lee Burch’s request for sentencing in abstentia. Deputy Attorney General Kelli Gallimore represented the State of Nevada.
Burch is imprisoned at Lovelock Correctional Center serving multiple life sentences for sexual assault of a minor, lewdness with a minor and attempted sexual assault of a minor. A Clark County court sentenced him after a jury trial.
In Jan. 2022, in Pershing County, Burch pleaded guilty to attempted voluntary sexual contact between a prisoner and another person, a Category E felony.
“I’ve been through a trial before and it doesn’t end well,” he said before entering an Alford Plea.
Cochran pointed out that Burch’s life sentences stem from one incident where he was convicted of several felonies. That becomes important in sentencing.
Nevada criminal law (NRS 176A.100) requires mandatory probation for E felonies unless the defendant has two previous felony convictions. Under 176A.100, Burch’s multiple convictions count only as a single conviction. As required by law, the judge gave Burch probation. However, it’s a moot point since the defendant is serving multiple life sentences.
James Trent Goodbaudy, 49, came to court for a change of plea hearing. He admitted that on Sept. 19, 2019, he threatened a public officer with civil litigation and felony criminal charges. He intended to intimidate her into not enforcing county codes.
“I called the DA’s Office and tried to prevent a public official from doing their job,” said Goodbaudy. The judge sentences him on May 23.
The gross misdemeanor is punishable by one year in jail and up to $2,000 in fines. In exchange for the guilty plea the parties jointly recommended a suspended sentence and letter of apology to the public officer.
Cynthia Sellars, 40, pleaded guilty to unauthorized custodial conduct of an inmate by an employee, a gross misdemeanor. The incidents occurred between Feb. 2020 and April 2020 at Lovelock Correctional Center.
In exchange for plea, the State agreed to a joint recommendation of 40 hours of community service and a fine of $1500. They also will not pursue other charges.
