A Clark County District Court judge has sided with the Las Vegas Metro Police after the department refused to release a defendant on an ankle monitor.
In a March 13 order, Judge Erika Mendoza backed Metro in its refusal to place Matthew Cordero-Davila on the department’s medium-electronic monitoring program. Cordero-Davila, who pleaded guilty in January to coercion constituting domestic violence with physical force, was initially considered for ankle-monitor release.
Metro cited his history of violent arrests and proximity to the no-contact order victims as reasons for denying the request. Mendoza later ordered him released on house arrest, affirming that Metro and the sheriff have discretion over participation in the program.
The action comes after a similar case involving Joshua Sanchez-Lopez, a convicted felon with 35 prior arrests, whose release to Metro’s electronic monitoring program has also been challenged. Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Eric Goodman ordered Sanchez-Lopez’s placement on the program, but Metro refused, citing prior bench warrants and program violations.
The dispute prompted Metro to petition the Nevada Supreme Court over the sheriff’s authority versus judicial orders.
Public defenders argue the practice undermines the constitutional role of judges in setting bail and release conditions, while Metro maintains its decisions are based on public safety.
The Nevada Supreme Court has not yet scheduled a hearing on Metro’s petition.
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