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Las Vegas Sheriff Defies Release Order as Case Heads to Nevada Supreme Court

The fight turns on who controls placement in Clark County’s electronic monitoring program.

Overview

  • Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Eric Goodman set $25,000 bail in January and ordered high-level electronic monitoring if Joshua Sanchez-Lopez were released.
  • LVMPD refused to enroll Sanchez-Lopez, citing roughly 35 prior arrests, failures to appear, bench warrants, and past monitoring violations including a 2020 incident where he fled while armed and later mocked his ankle monitor online.
  • On March 9, the department petitioned the Nevada Supreme Court for a writ of prohibition, asserting that NRS 211.250(2) and NRS 211.300 give Sheriff Kevin McMahill authority to deny electronic supervision for public-safety reasons.
  • The high court has not scheduled a hearing; Sanchez-Lopez remains in custody despite posting bond, and Judge Goodman earlier warned the sheriff and department could face contempt for noncompliance.
  • A Justice Court status check on the auto theft case is set for Thursday, March 19, as the broader authority dispute awaits appellate review.