The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, led by Sheriff Kevin McMahill, is refusing to release Joshua Sanchez-Lopez, a repeat offender with 35 prior arrests, despite a Las Vegas Justice Court judge’s order to free him on electronic monitoring. The standoff has escalated into a legal dispute now before the Nevada Supreme Court over who holds the ultimate authority to decide if a defendant poses an unreasonable public safety risk.
Judge Orders Release on Electronic Monitoring
Justice Court Judge Eric Goodman set bail at $25,000 for Sanchez-Lopez, who was charged in January with grand larceny of a motor vehicle. Goodman ordered that the defendant be released under “high-level” electronic monitoring, which would confine him to his residence while wearing a GPS ankle bracelet if bail was posted. However, law enforcement officials declined to comply, citing Sanchez-Lopez’s extensive criminal history and prior violations of monitoring conditions.
Sheriff Cites Public Safety Concerns and Legal Authority
The sheriff’s office argues that Sanchez-Lopez’s record—including past arrests for drug offenses, involuntary manslaughter, and a 2020 incident where he fled armed from officers—makes him too dangerous for supervised release. Assistant General Counsel Mike Dickerson emphasized that the department must assess whether electronic monitoring can safely manage certain individuals in the community. The department maintains that state law grants Sheriff McMahill the authority to override release decisions when there is a threat to public safety.
Legal Battle and Public Reactions
Sanchez-Lopez’s public defender, P. David Westbrook, disputes the sheriff’s position, asserting that judges have sole discretion to set release conditions. Meanwhile, the sheriff’s defiance has drawn public support on social media from conservative commentators and local officials. The Nevada Supreme Court has yet to schedule a hearing on the case. Officials from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and Clark County District Attorney’s Office have not provided comment, and Judge Goodman declined to comment citing the pending litigation.
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