Sheriff Stands Firm: Refuses to Free Violent Felon with 35 Arrests Despite Judge’s Order

Sheriff Stands Firm: Refuses to Free Violent Felon with 35 Arrests Despite Judge’s Order

In Las Vegas, Sheriff Kevin McMahill is drawing the line on public safety.

A career criminal named Joshua Sanchez-Lopez—36 years old, convicted felon, history including involuntary manslaughter, drugs, and now facing grand larceny of a motor vehicle—sits behind bars. His rap sheet boasts 35 prior arrests.

Activist Judge Eric Goodman ordered his release on electronic monitoring. Sheriff McMahill said no.

Citing Nevada law that lets him block pretrial releases when they threaten public safety or officer security, he refused to hand Sanchez-Lopez over to the ankle-bracelet program run by Metro.

The judge threatened contempt charges. Metro pushed back hard, petitioning the Nevada Supreme Court for clarity on who really decides dangerousness.

McMahill’s team made it clear: they won’t bend the law or risk lives to appease judges pushing soft-on-crime releases.

This clash highlights the failure of Nevada’s 2021 pretrial “reforms” that prioritize quick releases over common-sense protection.

Too many dangerous offenders walk free, only to reoffend. Sheriff McMahill is putting citizens first.

Kudos to a lawman who refuses to cave. We need more sheriffs with this backbone.