COURT NEWS

The following cases were heard in the Tenth Judicial District Court.

David Bell was sentenced to the Nevada State prison on one count of the unauthorized signing of a credit or debit card and three counts for the fraudulent use of a credit or debit card.

The sentences will run concurrent with one another.

According to court records, Bell, aka Allen Davison, fraudulently used a credit or debit card on July 23 and July 26, 2015. In court testimony, Reno Police also arrested Bell on March 19 for petty theft.

Lane Mills, chief deputy district attorney, said Bell has been convicted of five previous felonies and14 misdemeanors.

“He’s a con man,” Mills said.

Mills had asked for the four counts to be served consecutively. Count one was for a period of 12-48 months, while counts two through four were for 12-36 months each.

I considered probation but given his history, I do not think it is appropriate,” said Judge Thomas Stockard.

Dylan Cole Chastain was sentenced to 12-36 months in the Nevada State Prison and fined $1,500 for restitution for one count of attempt to commit battery by a prisoner in lawful custody or confinement.

On May 11, 2015, he attempted to touch another man while in lawful confinement.

Larissa Eve Peterson was sentenced to the Nevada State Prison for 12-48 months for battery when she kicked a Fallon police officer.

Defense attorney David Neidert said Peterson needs to be in a residential treatment center for her alcohol abuse.

“Alcohol is the root issue of the problem here,” he said.

Peterson apologized to the court, saying she has been dealing with her alcohol problem for years and needs help with it.

Fallon Police Sgt. Jose Peres testified and said Peterson was combative in the detention center and also said she was going to kill another police officer.

Stockard, after reviewing her file, said Peterson has never dealt with her alcohol problem.

“You’ll have the opportunity to deal with this, but there will be consequences,” he said.

Cortney Lynn Martin was sentenced to the Nevada State Prison for 24-72 months for battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily arm.

On Sept. 8, 2015, she stabbed her husband three times causing serious injuries.

Mills said this crime of domestic violence is one of the most dangerous types.

“This is a crime of violence where someone is hurt badly, “ he said.

Defense attorney Charles Woodman said prior to this incident, there were no previous reports of domestic violence.

“She had a depressed husband who wanted her to take his life,” Woodman said, adding she relented to his desires to put him out of his misery.

Her husband took the stand and said he badgered her to stab him.

“I felt she had no choice,” he said. “I told her to kill me.”

Leroy Martin said he was off his medication and drinking heavily. He said he was depressed. Martin asked the court, however, to spare a prison sentence for his wife and grant her probation.

When sentencing her, Stockard said probation was not appropriate.

John Jefferson King II pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance, a Category E felony.

On March 9, he possessed methamphetamine. He faces one to four years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine not to exceed $5,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June.

Rachel Lynn Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance, a Category E felony.

On March 18, she possessed methamphetamine. She faces one to four years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine not to exceed $5,000.

According to court testimony, she also faces new charges of one count of sales and a second count of possession of a controlled substance.

Competency evaluations have been completed on Rebeca Lynn Brandi-Vanmeter.

She is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance, a Category E felony.

On Aug. 16, 2015, she possessed methamphetamine. She faces one to four years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine not to exceed $5,000.

On count two, she is charged with committing battery on two law enforcement officers. She kicked a Churchill County Sheriff’s deputy and also kicked a Fallon Police officer and shut his hand in the patrol car door.

The gross misdemeanor carries a sentence of 364 days in the county detention center and a fine not to exceed $2,000.

Vanmeter said it was an accident when she slammed the officer’s hand in the door.

Stockard suspended the sentence for the first count by ordering her to the Western Region Diversion Drug Court program.

She pleaded guilty to count two and will be sentenced in June.

The arraignment for Randy Lee Hutchcraft was continued.

He is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance, a Category E felony.

On March 8 according to court documents, he possessed methamphetamine. He faces one to four years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine not to exceed $5,000.

Christopher Martin Caillouet pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a controlled substance, a Category E felony.

On March 8, he possessed marijuana. He faces one to four years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine not to exceed $5,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June.

Caillouet said he would enroll in a drug diversion program in Louisiana. Sentencing is set for June.