Las Vegas Judge Threatens Contempt Charge Against Police Over Refusal to Release Violent Offender

Metro police say they cannot safely monitor the suspect with an ankle bracelet due to his history of violations.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:05pm

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A Las Vegas judge is threatening to hold the local police department in contempt of court after they refused to release a violent criminal with 35 prior arrests, despite the judge's order to do so. The suspect, Joshua Sanchez-Lopez, has a history of convictions including involuntary manslaughter and has previously mocked being monitored with an ankle bracelet. Police argue they cannot safely release him into the community, while the judge and the suspect's public defender say the police are overstepping their authority.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tension between the judicial system's focus on rehabilitation and release, and law enforcement's concerns about public safety when dealing with repeat, violent offenders. It raises questions about the limits of judicial power and the role of police discretion in determining who should be released on electronic monitoring.

The details

Judge Eric Goodman ordered 36-year-old Joshua Sanchez-Lopez to be released from jail and placed on electronic monitoring after his latest arrest for grand larceny of a motor vehicle. However, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department refused to comply with the judge's order, citing Sanchez-Lopez's history of failing to appear in court and violating the terms of his electronic monitoring in the past, including mocking the ankle bracelet on social media. The police argue they have a duty to protect public safety, while the judge and the suspect's public defender say the police are overstepping their authority by defying a court order.

  • On January 29, Metro police told the judge they would not release Sanchez-Lopez, despite his order.
  • On February 5, Judge Goodman responded by threatening to hold the police in contempt of court.

The players

Joshua Sanchez-Lopez

A 36-year-old violent criminal with 35 prior arrests, including convictions for involuntary manslaughter and drug charges.

Judge Eric Goodman

A Las Vegas Justice Court judge who ordered Sanchez-Lopez to be released on electronic monitoring.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

The local police department that refused to comply with the judge's order to release Sanchez-Lopez, citing public safety concerns.

P. David Westbrook

The public defender representing Sanchez-Lopez, who argues the police are overstepping their authority.

Mike Dickerson

The assistant general counsel for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, who says they are trying to preserve public safety.

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What they’re saying

“Metro's argument is flat wrong. It is the job of the elected judge to decide whether someone charged with a crime should be released and under what conditions. The idea that a Metro employee can overrule a judge's release order and keep someone locked up should worry anyone who believes in the Constitution and the rule of law.”

— P. David Westbrook, Public Defender (theblaze.com)

“Sheriff McMahill and the men and women of Metro are doing exactly what they're sworn to do: protect the public. When repeat violent offenders are ordered back onto our streets, law enforcement has a duty to speak up and push back. I fully support LVMPD's decision to take this issue to the Nevada Supreme Court and fight for public safety. I stand with law enforcement.”

— Joe Lombardo, Republican Governor of Nevada (theblaze.com)

“The safety of our officers is paramount. The safety of the public is key, and the key here is Sheriff McMahill will not violate the law to appease the Las Vegas Justice Court and let out people who he deems to be dangerous. We have a system that's set up so people can get out of jail quickly, and sometimes, there just needs to be a little bit more thought given to it because lives are on the line.”

— Mike Dickerson, Assistant General Counsel, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (theblaze.com)

What’s next

The Nevada Supreme Court will likely have to rule on whether the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has the authority to defy a judge's order to release a suspect on electronic monitoring.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate between the judicial system's focus on rehabilitation and the need for public safety, as law enforcement argues it has a duty to protect the community from repeat, violent offenders even when a judge orders their release. It raises questions about the limits of judicial power and the role of police discretion in determining who should be released on electronic monitoring.