May 5, 2023 - Sonora, California –– Tuolumne County District Attorney Cassandra Jenecke has announced that on April 21, 2023, 48-year-old former Jamestown resident Lance Allen Nokes was sentenced to 10 years 4 months State Prison after pleading guilty to Attempted Murder, Inflicting Corporal Injury on a Spouse, Criminal Threats, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Because Attempted Murder is a violent offense, statutorily Mr. Nokes will have to serve 85% of the 9 years he was sentenced to on that charge alone.

On July 18, 2022, law enforcement was dispatched to a residence after a 911 call came in where dispatchers heard a female crying and pleading with a male subject to let her go. Upon arrival, the victim was located with several bloody injuries. The defendant had told the victim he would kill her, attempted to strangle her to unconsciousness, struck her numerous times in the face and pulled her hair out. When contacted, the defendant had lacerations to his knuckles consistent with punching someone in the mouth.

Mr. Nokes was out of custody on July 18, 2023 on bail after an incident on June 27, 2022 where he was found to be a felon in possession of a firearm after law enforcement was called to the house for a misdemeanor domestic violence event with the same victim. After that event, the victim moved out of the home to separate herself from the situation. She was lured back to the house on July 18, 2022 by Mr. Nokes’ wanting to talk to her. 

At sentencing, an impact statement was read from the victim in which she recounted her terror and injuries from that incident but also demonstrated her resounding strength from being able to recover and find happiness again by surrounding herself with friends and family. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Novelli. The survivor was supported by Victim Witness Advocate Hollie Brown.

For questions or additional information, please contact DDA Novelli at (209) 588-5450.
Source: Tuolumne County District Attorney