A preliminary hearing in a Lyon County identity theft was canceled Monday because the case against Jordan Nathanial Phillips was dismissed.
Court documents indicate the request to dismiss came from prosecutors, but additional details have not been announced. Judge Doug Jones dismissed the case without prejudice, meaning prosecutors can re-file if they so choose.
Phillips had been charged with single counts of identity theft for allegedly trying to “obtain, possess, transfer, use, sell or purchase” personal information. The other count is soliciting the trafficking of marijuana into the Lyon County Jail after an alleged incident Nov. 6.
Co-defendant James Jones, who is charged with one count of identity theft involving more than 100 individuals, has a preliminary hearing Jan. 4.
Separately in Lyon County District Court on Monday:
*A man accused of marijuana distribution in a Lyon County case will have a preliminary hearing next month. Jordan Johnson had his first court appearance Monday and will be back in court at 2:30 pm Jan. 9. Jordan was arrested last week after allegedly having between 25 and 450 grams of marijuana set for distribution. Johnson has been charged with marijuana distribution, psilocybin possession and paraphernalia possession. Judge Doug Jones will preside over the prelim.
*A motions hearing in a Lyon County aggravated kidnapping case has been delayed a week. Joshua Parrish is charged with seven different counts, including aggravated kidnapping and aggravated domestic battery, after an alleged incident July 9.
Prosecutors have submitted a motion to introduce evidence of Parrish’s alleged prior acts against the alleged victim. The hearing, initially set for Monday, has been delayed to 10 am Dec. 19. Potential trial start dates are Jan. 9, Feb. 6 or March 20 in the Parrish case.
*A decision on whether a defendant in an aggravated battery case can withdraw his plea may be coming next month. A hearing was on the Lyon County docket Monday for Larry Vaughn, but defense attorney Nick Heiman has asked for additional time to file an amended motion — so a hearing has been slated for Jan. 17 at 1:15 pm. Vaughn had pleaded no contest in May to aggravated domestic battery, attempted aggravated witness intimidation, criminal threat and criminal trespass after allegedly trying to stop the victim’s breathing in separate incidents last year, as well as robbing the alleged victim of her phone and taking her vehicle without consent. Other counts, including kidnapping, aggravated burglary and robbery, were dismissed. He was then sentenced to 37 months in prison. Vaughn has been moving towards withdrawing his plea, saying he was erroneously advised by prior attorney Rick Meier and was then illegally sentenced by former judge Merlin Wheeler.
