Man arrested for 36th time fails to appear in court

LAS VEGAS (KVVU/Gray News) — The man at the center of a legal battle over his release conditions is once again finding himself in controversy.

According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, 36-year-old Joshua Sanchez-Lopez was arrested on Wednesday, marking his 36th arrest.

Sanchez-Lopez was scheduled for a hearing on Thursday morning. However, he failed to appear. Court records say it was due to medical reasons.

The defense team asked the judge to continue the hearing, arguing that LVMPD filed a supplemental briefing about 36 hours earlier and the defense had not had time to review or respond.

Earlier this week, authorities said the 36-year-old was taken into custody by LVMPD after he was released earlier this month under electronic monitoring.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill previously urged the Nevada Supreme Court to intervene ahead of Sanchez-Lopez’s release, citing multiple felony convictions and more than 80 additional charges.

Officials have pointed to a Jan. 12 booking in a case involving possession of a stolen vehicle as a flashpoint in the broader debate over release conditions.

Thursday, public defender David Westbrook raised objections about how monitoring conditions were handled and questioned whether LVMPD acted in bad faith.

LVMPD attorney Michael Dickerson pushed back, calling the defense argument “nonsense.”

Judge Eric Goodman noted that the broader dispute over ankle-monitor releases is being argued before the Nevada Supreme Court and denied the continuance request.

Officials say the dispute centers on whether Sanchez-Lopez should have been released under electronic monitoring and what authority courts and law enforcement have in setting and challenging those conditions.

Both sides have asked the Nevada Supreme Court to weigh in as the case moves forward.

Court records and police information show Sanchez-Lopez is now facing allegations that include child abuse or neglect, possession of documents/personal identification to commit forgery and possession of a controlled substance.

The 36-year-old remained in custody Thursday as the underlying legal fight over ankle-monitor releases continues. His next court date is scheduled for April 21.