A preliminary hearing in a Lyon County human smuggling and illegal dentistry case is now reset for September.
Initially, Iris Sandoval-Flores was supposed to have a hearing Tuesday, but court proceedings were set for Sept. 15 after a motion from Lyon County Attorney Amy Aranda. She says there were unfounded indications Martha Lopez-Alvarado, now both a witness for the state and defendant after initially serving as strictly a defendant, was in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. The delay gives prosecutors time to both find Lopez-Alvarado and set up a subpoena to compel her presence as proceedings continue.
Also, Aranda says prosecutors expect more time needed to review incoming discovery materials and Sandoval-Flores is currently out on bond.
Sandoval-Flores is one of eight defendants in a case that came to light in mid-May but, according to authorities, may have developed in early January 2024. Sandoval-Flores remains charged with single counts of human smuggling, identity theft, dealing in false ID documents and unlicensed practice of dentistry or dental hygiene.
Lopez-Alvarado, meanwhile, is charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, making false information and identity theft. She has a preliminary hearing July 15.
Also:
*Hugo Cardona-Argueta is charged with possession of marijuana, interference with law enforcement, making false information and identity theft. He has a preliminary hearing Aug. 18.
*Francisco Pichardo-Machado and Martin Pichardo-Machado are both charged with making false information, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Francisco Pichardo-Machado has a preliminary hearing July 9, while Martin Pichardo-Machado is back in court Aug. 18.
*Edwar Benavides-Salgado is charged with identity theft, identity fraud, making false information and dealing in false ID documents. His preliminary hearing is Monday.
Rigoberto Sandoval-Sandoval, the alleged dentist, and co-defendant Ana Figueroa have not had court appearances rescheduled after they allegedly failed to appear for hearings and subsequently had warrants issued for their arrests in early June.
The defendants are accused of varying involvement in a plan to create and sell false identification documents while using Sandoval-Flores’ home for an unlicensed dental operation.
