SUBLETTE COUNTY – Last week, two judges signed separate court orders allowing a woman to talk to and visit her son, who will be sentenced Thursday, June 15, for an assault against his estranged husband last August.

Nicholas A. Leyva, 32, of Daniel, pleaded no contest to two aggravated assault felonies that occurred on Aug. 31, 2022, in a domestic dispute with his husband, Dr. Stephen Buck Wallace. Leyva’s sentencing in 9^th District Court is set for Thursday, June 15, at 8:30 a.m.

His mother, Gloria T. DeNava, was charged with felony delivery of marijuana to Leyva in August 2022 and Leyva is also charged with misdemeanor pot possession connected to that case.

Wallace requested and received a protection order against DeNava, who tried to request one against Wallace as well in Circuit Court hearings.

Leyva, who pleaded not guilty to the marijuana charge before Judge John LaBuda, said he would consider changing his plea after his June 18 felony sentencing, court records show. DeNava also pleaded not guilty to the felony delivery charge and her case is suspended in 9^th District Court, records show.

The two have not been allowed to talk, communicate or visit in any way since DeNava’s arrest. Both are out on bond. Leyva’s attorney Elisabeth Trefonas asked the judges if they would allow the two to speak before Leyva’s sentencing; Judge LaBuda agreed on June 6 as did Judge Kate McKay on June 8, records show.

DeNava had traveled to California, where she lived before Leyva’s arrest, to settle family, legal and medical matters and was expected to return June 10, according to court documents.

Leyva’s felony sentencing hearing is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m. in 9^th District Court, with four hours set aside.