Hearing set in pot, intimidation case

East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl refused Wednesday to release or lower the $75,000 cash bail for a 51-year-old Gardnerville man accused of intimidating a witness after he was charged with four counts of selling marijuana.

He set a May 1 preliminary hearing for Russell Tillack and told lawyer Kris Brown she could argue for her client's release then.

Tillack is charged with four counts of sales of a controlled substance and intimidating a witness.

Brown argued that Tillack was a longtime community resident and business owner.

According to Brown, the witness whom Tillack is accused of threatening, later apologized to the suspect for making the report.

"He said he was pressured by the deputies to do what he did," Brown said.

She said the witness has a history of making false reports.

Prosecutor Tom Gregory argued against release or bail reduction.

"The second set of charges happened within hours after Russell Tillack was released on the first set of charges," he said. "Other witnesses heard him say it."

After Tillack was released on the marijuana charges, he allegedly went to the home of the witness and said he'd put the word out on him. He suggested the man lie in court.

Based on the circumstances of the threats, investigators obtained a separate arrest warrant for Tillack, charging him with felony intimidating a witness.

Tillack was arrested later that same day at his home on Carbernet Court. Tillack was smoking marijuana at the time of his second arrest, authorities said.