Shooter pleads to drug charges

A Fallon man accused of a shooting at the Overland Hotel in September pleaded guilty Tuesday in District Court to more serious charges.

Justin James Lovett, 32, entered the pleas on one felony count each of conspiracy to commit a felony under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and trafficking in a controlled substance, 14-28 grams.

Lovett shot Holly Wilcox and was arrested in Reno after fleeing Fallon. He was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, but the count was dismissed in court after he agreed to plead guilty to the drug charges.

According to Churchill County Chief District Attorney Lane Mills, Lovett is not eligible for probation due to his prior criminal history. Lovett faces three to 15 years for the conspiracy count and two to 15 years for trafficking.

Lovett’s attorney, Jack Fox of Reno, his client agreed to the plea deal to avoid more serious charges. Lovett will be sentenced June 10.

Fallon police received a call indicating a shooting had occurred at the Overland Hotel at about 1:30 p.m. Officers arrived to find Wilcox had a gunshot wound to her arm. She was transported to Banner Churchill Community Hospital for treatment and released.

Lovett, though, has appeared in Churchill County courts numerous times, according to records.

In May 2011, Lovett received a five-year probation sentence after pleading guilty to possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested for possession of mushrooms.

Lovett was arrested in June 2009 on a warrant for contempt of court.

In August 2007, Lovett was found guilty of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 12-48 months in prison.

Police arrested Lovett on March 11, 2007, on a suspicion of domestic battery, assault with a deadly weapon, interruption of a 911 call, possession of a short-barrel shotgun, ex-felon not to possess firearm and battery.

In February 2005, Lovett was guilty of contempt for failure to pay fines in municipal court.

On Jan. 19, 2005, he was arrested on two warrants charging failure to pay fines and failure to appear.

In other court news —

Marlene Mori appeared in Justice Court on Thursday on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges.

Mori faces felony charges of failure to stop at the signal of a public officer, under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of controlled substance.

She also faces misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of resisting a public officer.

She was arrested on Jan. 20 by Churchill County Sheriff’s deputies for the drug charges and one count of resisting. The other charges stem from an incident on Dec. 13.

In addition, an active warrant from Placer County, Calif., has been issued for Mori. She is scheduled for a status hearing on Thursday.

Anthony Karl Baldwin was sentenced to 14-42 months in prison on Tuesday in District Court on one count of grand larceny of personal goods between $650-$3,500.

The charge has the option of being ruled a gross misdemeanor (up to 364 days in jail) or a felony. Stockard opted for the felony due to Baldwin’s criminal history.

Michael Winn said Baldwin has two felony, one gross misdemeanor and 17 misdemeanor convictions, which have resulted in nine jail sentences and one prison sentence.

Winn said Baldwin stole copper wire from a geothermal plant and fled from authorities. Once law enforcement encountered Baldwin, he had to be tased, fell into a canal and was rescued.

Baldwin was also ordered to pay more than $2,000 in restitution.

Michael Anthony Johnson pleaded guilty Tuesday in District Court to one count of possession of a controlled substance, more than 1 oz.

He was arrested Nov. 7 for possession of marijuana and other charges, which were dropped as part of negotiations and to allow Johnson to avoid more serious crimes.

He will be sentenced April 1.

Denise Christine Mitchell pleaded not guilty to one count of being under the influence of a controlled substance.

Mitchell was arrested Jan. 12 and her trial is scheduled for July 16-18.

She was ordered to undergo daily drug testing by Court Services, although she previously tested positive for methamphetamine numerous times since her arrest.

Churchill County Deputy DA Winn argued against continuing Mitchell’s release due to her lack of cooperation.

“She admitted to smoking meth on Jan. 16, the day she was released from jail,” he said. “She has no intentions to adhere to the conditions of her OR.”

Mitchell, though, said she is enrolled in numerous courses at Western Nevada College and is attempting to find treatment.