Cops or Criminals? Judge Threatens Contempt Charges Against Sheriff for Protecting the Public

LAS VEGAS, NV — In a stunning display of “bench activism” vs. common-sense law enforcement, a Las Vegas judge is threatening to hold the local police department in contempt of court. The reason? The police are refusing to release a career criminal with 35 prior arrests back onto the streets.

The standoff between Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Eric Goodman and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) has become a flashpoint in the national debate over public safety and the “revolving door” justice system.

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The Suspect: A Walking Security Risk

The man at the center of the controversy is 36-year-old Joshua Sanchez-Lopez. His rap sheet is as long as it is violent, featuring:

• 35 Prior Arrests: Including convictions for involuntary manslaughter and drug trafficking.
• Mocking the Law: Sanchez-Lopez previously treated electronic monitoring like a joke, reportedly posting photos of his ankle monitor on Snapchat to mock the authorities.
• History of Non-Compliance: Police records show he has a repeated history of failing to appear in court and violating supervision programs.

Despite this, Judge Goodman ordered that Sanchez-Lopez be released on bail with electronic monitoring following a recent arrest for grand larceny of a motor vehicle.

The Police Stand Their Ground

In a rare move of defiance, Metro Police informed the judge they would not release the suspect. Assistant General Counsel Mike Dickerson argued that the sheriff has the legal authority—and a moral duty—to determine if a person can be monitored safely.

“Sheriff McMahill will not violate the law to appease the Las Vegas Justice Court and let out people who he deems to be dangerous,” Dickerson stated. “Lives are on the line.”

The “Constitutional” Smoke Screen

The suspect’s public defender, P. David Westbrook, has attempted to frame this as a constitutional crisis, claiming it should “worry anyone who believes in the rule of law” that a police employee could overrule a judge.

However, conservatives and law enforcement advocates argue that the real threat to the rule of law is a judicial system that prioritizes the “rights” of a violent, 35-time offender over the safety of innocent families.

Governor Lombardo: “I Stand With Law Enforcement”

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo, a Republican and former sheriff, wasted no time in backing the thin blue line.

“When repeat violent offenders are ordered back onto our streets, law enforcement has a duty to speak up and push back,” Lombardo wrote on social media. “I fully support LVMPD’s decision… and fight for public safety.”

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The Bottom Line

This case is a textbook example of why the American people are losing faith in the courts. While Judge Goodman insists that electronic monitoring is “similar to house arrest,” the police know the truth: an ankle bracelet doesn’t stop a career criminal from committing his 36th crime.

As the case heads to the Nevada Supreme Court, the message from the LVMPD is clear: Public safety must come before judicial ego.

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