A legal battle is brewing in Nevada as a Las Vegas sheriff defies a court order to release a repeat offender with a history of 35 arrests. The case is now set to be reviewed by the Nevada Supreme Court to determine who has the final say on whether a suspect is too dangerous to be released from jail.
The controversy erupted when Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Eric Goodman ruled that Joshua Sanchez-Lopez could be released on electronic monitoring. This system allows defendants to leave jail under the condition of wearing a GPS ankle bracelet, as reported by KLAS.
However, law enforcement officials have refused to comply with the judge’s order, citing Sanchez-Lopez’s extensive criminal background as a reason why he should not be released into the community.
At 36, Sanchez-Lopez’s criminal record is extensive, including 35 arrests and previous incarcerations for charges such as drug-related offenses and involuntary manslaughter, according to the records referenced by KLAS.
A mugshot of Joshua Sanchez-Lopez, the repeat offender at the center of this legal dispute, was ordered to be released with electronic monitoring by a Las Vegas judge. Police, however, have refused, leading to a legal conflict now advancing to the Nevada Supreme Court. (LVMPD)
Authorities express grave concerns about his past conduct. In a notable 2020 incident, Sanchez-Lopez allegedly fled from officers while armed. Later, he reportedly posted on Snapchat, showcasing his ankle monitor and bragging about evading capture, as per documents cited by KLAS.
Officials say cases like that are exactly why the sheriff’s office believes it should have the final say on whether someone can be placed in the electronic monitoring program.
“We have to take a look at that and say, ‘Is this somebody who our electronic supervision program can monitor safely in the community?’” Mike Dickerson, assistant general counsel for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, told KLAS. “This is an issue of public safety.”
A photo from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Facebook shows an officer’s patch. (Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Facebook)
The case stems from Sanchez-Lopez’s January arrest on a charge of grand larceny of a motor vehicle.
During a court hearing, Goodman set bail at $25,000 and ordered that Sanchez-Lopez be placed on “high-level” electronic monitoring, essentially house arrest, if he posted bond, KLAS reported.
Authorities refused, citing prior bench warrants, failures to appear in court and violations of the department’s monitoring program, according to the outlet.
When police declined to release him, Goodman ordered the department to comply and warned officials they could face contempt sanctions if they did not, the outlet reported.
“When someone has dozens of prior arrests and a history of violations, that raises serious concerns about whether they can safely be released into the community,” said David Moody, a retired LVMPD detective and state president of FOP in Nevada. “From a law enforcement perspective, public safety has to come first.”
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill speaks during a news conference in Boulder City, Nev., after a suspect allegedly planned to commit a terrorist act. (Pool/KVVU)
Now the sheriff’s office is asking the Nevada Supreme Court to step in, arguing state law gives Clark County Sheriff Kevin McMahill the authority to determine whether supervising someone outside jail would pose an unreasonable risk to public safety.
“Sheriff McMahill will not violate the law to appease the Las Vegas Justice Court and let out people who he deems to be dangerous,” the department said in a statement.
Steve Grammas, president of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, told Fox News Digital the dispute ultimately comes down to who the law says controls electronic monitoring.
“Statutorily, it’s very clear the sheriff decides whether someone can be placed on supervised monitoring,” Grammas said. “It’s his jail and his supervision, so that decision rests with him.”
Grammas said the case has drawn attention because many people view it as a public safety issue involving a repeat offender with a long arrest record.
Sanchez-Lopez’s attorney, however, argues the sheriff is overstepping his authority.
“Metro’s argument is flat wrong,” public defender P. David Westbrook said in a statement to KLAS. “It is the job of the elected judge to decide whether someone charged with a crime should be released and under what conditions.”
The dispute has also drawn attention online, where some commentators praised the sheriff for refusing to release the defendant.
The conservative social media account Libs of TikTok posted about the case on X, calling Sanchez-Lopez a “violent career criminal” and writing, “Kudos to this sheriff!”
The Nevada Republican Club also weighed in, writing, “That’s our Sheriff. We stand behind him all day long.”
Sigal Chattah, the U.S. attorney for the District of Nevada, also praised the sheriff, writing on X: “Couldn’t be more proud to call this guy MY SHERIFF… bow down America to King Kevin.”
The Nevada Supreme Court has not yet scheduled a hearing on the petition.
Fox News Digital reached out to Sanchez-Lopez’s attorney, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Clark County District Attorney’s Office for comment. Goodman declined to comment, citing the pending case.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
