Judge denies Sanchez’s request to modify bail

The Superior Court has denied the bail modification request made by a man who was recently arrested on multiple charges, including the unlawful transportation of firearms.

Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph Camacho, who heard Kelvin C. Sanchez’s bail modification request in a hearing last Monday, denied the request and kept the previously imposed bail amount at $50,000 cash.

Camacho said his concern is not so much the bail amount, but rather the lack of a third-party custodian.

“Until such time a third-party custodian is presented, I must deny the request for bail modification,” said Camacho.

At the hearing, assistant public defender Emily Thomsen, who represents Sanchez, 35, requested that the court modify her client’s bail and allow him to post just 10% of the amount for his release.

Chester Hinds, who is the chief criminal prosecutor of the Office of the Attorney General, opposed and asked the court to maintain the bail at $50,000.

Sanchez was previously a wanted man until his arrest over the weekend.

Sanchez is facing charges of unlawful transportation of firearms, possession of ammunition, violation of a firearms owner’s identification card requirement, removal of firearms serial number, and possession of a controlled substance.

After the hearing, Sanchez was remanded back to Department of Corrections’ custody and was ordered to return to court on Nov. 13 for a preliminary hearing while his arraignment is set for Nov. 20.

According to court documents, Department of Public Safety responded to a call at around 11:16pm on Oct. 24. A woman claimed she was being followed by a white Toyota Corolla near Pak Pak beach in San Antonio. The car later sped north on Beach Road.

Officers pursued the car, which they later learned was being operated by Sanchez, to the San Jose church.

At the church, police said Sanchez stepped out of the car and he was later patted down. This led to the discovery of a glass pipe in one of his pant pockets. The pipe later tested presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Police also conducted a standard field sobriety test on Sanchez, which determined that he was driving under the influence. He was arrested at once. As per standard DUI procedure, Sanchez was later released.

Meanwhile, police impounded Sanchez’s vehicle and searched a bag they found inside. Police noted that they found what they believe to be drug paraphernalia inside as well as ammunition.

Further inspection of Sanchez’s car led police officers to find a loaded pistol that had its serial number removed.

Police added that there is no record of Sanchez registering a firearm.