District Attorney Chris Hicks announces that the seven students from Reno High School who vandalized the campus last summer have been sentenced.

“I made a commitment on behalf of my office: that we would take this case seriously, follow the facts, and hold those responsible accountable in a manner that was fair, transparent, and just,” said DA Hicks. “This was a difficult chapter for Reno High School and for our community. But I hope this sentencing also marks a turning point. Accountability has been imposed. The legal process has nearly run its course. And now, I hope the entire community – students, staff, families, and alumni – can move forward from this unfortunate episode, refocused on the values that truly define Reno High: respect for one another, pride in our institutions, and the strength to do the right thing.”

At sentencing, the Chief Deputy District Attorneys Amos Stege and Michael Bolenbaker argued on every defendant for 364 days in jail suspended, provided they were placed on probation not diversion. The State also argued for 100 hours of community service for each count. In addition, as a condition of probation May, Smith, and Shuff should serve 10, and 20 days in jail respectfully. Additionally, it was argued that the defendants obey all laws, get a substance abuse evaluation and follow the recommendations, pay full restitution, and not go on any WCSD school property.

The Honorable Barry Breslow imposed the following sentences:

Reagan Jaksick was sentenced to diversion and will split restitution for damages to the school alongside the other defendants. She will be supervised by the Division of Parole and Probation for a year, pay a $500 fine. She cannot be on school district property, is subject to random drug and alcohol testing twice a month, must attend counselling once a week for six months, and must be in school or at work while on probation. She was also given 100 hours of community service, which has already been completed.

Isabella Russell and Aral Unlu received the same sentence as Jaksick, except for the mandated counseling. Devyn Maaka received the same sentence but was given 200 hours of community service.

Brady Smith was sentenced to 360 days in jail, but that jail time was suspended in favor of a year of probation. However, he will be spending the next five nights at the Washoe County jail, according to the judge. He was also given credit for two days’ time served towards his 360 days. In addition, Smith was ordered to pay his share of the restitution for damage to the school and a $500 fine. The rest of his sentencing is the same as Russell’s, Unlu, and Maaka.

Wylder May was sentenced to 360 days in jail, which was suspended in favor of a year of probation. He was given 12 days in jail with credit for time served, and must do an in-patient rehab program, as well as 300 hours of community service. The rest of his sentence is the same as the other defendants.

Owen Ray Shuff was sentenced to 360 days in jail, which was suspended. He received one day of credit for time served and was given a year of probation. Like Smith, he will spend the next five nights at the county jail. Shuff must also pay court administrative fees, restitution for damage to the school, and a $500 fine. As he is currently enrolled at college in Arizona, he will need to work with P&P to leave Nevada, undergo drug and alcohol testing twice a month, and perform 300 hours of community service.

All of the defendants will have a review hearing in mid-April.

Regarding the community service for all the defendants, placements were not chosen at random. They were deliberately selected to address areas of genuine need within our community, with the expectation that those responsible would give back in a tangible and constructive way. Community service is to be completed with Keep Truckee Meadows Beautiful (KTMB), Washoe County Senior Services, or the Regional Public Safety Training Center.  In total, this case will result in 1,665 hours of community service returned directly to the community that was harmed. To give that some context, those hours equate to a person working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, for 42 weeks straight.

As of last week, 478 hours of community service have already been completed.

• With KTMB, defendants have already spent time cleaning illegal dumpsites located in our open spaces, spreading mulch for weed abatement, planting trees, wrapping trees to protect them from beaver damage, and stenciling storm drains to promote river health.
• They also participated in their Christmas Tree Recycling Program. In total these individuals have served 252.5 hours, which has resulted in 300 storm drains stenciled, 7,125 pounds of waste removed, 1,165 plants installed at our local parks, 25 trees protected along our Truckee River, and thousands of Christmas trees recycled.
• At the Senior Center, the defendants participated in the Senior Nutrition Program which involved kitchen prep and general kitchen duties, serving lunch to seniors and helping them to their tables, cleaning up the lunchroom, and wiping down tables and chairs.
• At the Regional Public Safety Training Center landscape clean up, litter pick up, and bathroom cleaning was completed.

“I again want to express my sincere gratitude to the Washoe County School District Police Department for their thorough and professional investigation, and to the Washoe County School District for their cooperation, transparency, and steadfast commitment to their students and staff throughout this process,” said DA Hicks. “I also thank the prosecutors and investigators in my office who handled this case with care, diligence, and a clear understanding of its broader impact.”