Johnathon Keith Thompson was sentenced by Tenth Judicial District Court Judge Thomas Stockard to 38-120 months in the Nevada State Prison Tuesday for battery with a deadly weapon causing substantial bodily harm, a Category B Felony. Thompson had pleaded guilty on May 3.
Thompson was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $224, the result of stealing his victim’s bankcard.
On or about the date of Nov. 17, 2014, Thompson drove the victim, Andy Hooper, through the desert outside of Fallon and stopped to ask for Hooper’s help in searching for a friend’s lost object, according to Hooper’s testimony. After several hours of searching, when Hooper returned to Thompson’s car and fell asleep, Thompson proceeded to beat Hooper on the head and body with a tire iron until he was presumed unconscious or dead. Afterward, he took Hooper’s bank card which would later be used by one of Thompson’s associates to purchase an air conditioner.
Thompson left Hooper in the desert that Saturday, who would wake up Sunday night. Nevada Highway Patrol troopers ook him to the hospital where he had little recollection of the events until several days after.
Hooper was resuscitated from death twice in that time, and suffered three skull breaks, three brain bleeds, an indefinite loss of taste and smell, a spinal fluid leak, permanent use of an oxygen machine on sleep apnea resulting from breathing issues. frequent headaches and memory problems.
Rosiland Hooper, his mother, also spoke at the court about their close family history as neighbors to Thompson and his family, and how the crime has resulted in medical bills her son will likely never be able to pay in his work as a ranch hand.
Thompson was remanded into custody and given credit for 76 days served.
In other court news...
Gerard Lee Millard pleaded no contest to one count of possession of marijuana, a schedule 1 controlled substance, for the purpose of sale, a first offense Category D Felony. The potential sentence is one to four years in the Nevada State Prison and a fine not to exceed $5,000. Sentencing is set for October.
The arraignment of Cass Edward Glover was continued to September. Glover pleaded guilty to one county of burglary, a Category B Felony, though the case may be amended at the next court date.
The arraignment of Michael Vincent Hyde was also continued to September. Hyde pleaded guilty to one count of being under the influence of a controlled substance, a Category E Felony, though, the case may be amended at the next court date.
Kyle J. Williams was sentenced to 10 days in Churchill County Jail and ordered to pay a $750 fine for a second offense driving under the influence. The reason for Williams’ limited sentence was because he completed the DUI Diversion Program.
Juan Alberto Sanchez-Martinez was ordered to pay a fine of $500 and no time for the unlawful taking of a vehicle, a Gross Misdemeanor. Sanchez-Martinez was given six months to pay the fine.