Before You Vote … About Chris Hicks

With only one day remaining before Washoe County voters decide who will occupy the

county highest prosecutorial office, residents should recognize that this race is about

more than personalities or catchy commercials.

There is nothing quite like an election season to remind Washoe County’s own

Harvey Dent that tribal lives matter, even if the reminder comes four years late.

Photo Courtesy of CarsonNow.Org (Anna Marie Scott)

Washoe County District Attorney Christopher “Chris” Hicks has portrayed himself as a

prosecutor of the people, touting his trial experience and commitment to justice. Yet

questions remain regarding how recently he has actually tried a jury case. In a recent

appearance before the Second Judicial District Court Hicks reportedly came face-to-

face with his own D-list celebrity status when court bailiffs failed to recognize the man

who declined to remove his sunglasses in the courtroom. While Hicks was once

rumored to be under consideration for a federal judicial appointment, the outcome of

those discussions now appears obvious.

Instead, what follows Hicks is a lengthy list of controversies and criticisms: a three part

This Is Reno series examining alleged nepotism within his office; a Nevada

Newsmakers debate in which Chris ‘Doesn’t Answer the Question’ - Hicks labeled

his opponent a liar; a plea memorandum from years ago that continues to create a backlog

within the judicial system; a gubernatorial endorsement facilitated by his campaign a plea

memorandum from years ago that continues to create a backlog within the judicial system; a

gubernatorial endorsement facilitated by his campaign manager's husband, who serves as the

Governor's chief of staff; press conferences announcing aggressive prosecutions while critics

question the county's own role in the underlying matters (#ProtectWhistleblowers); assertions that

he does not oversee or interfere with the civil division; and repeated refusals to authorize an

independent audit of his office.

Most concerning is Hicks' recusal of his office in the Robert Paul Eikelberger case. Unfortunately,

not everyone receives the benefit of the "homie hookup" like Robert Paul Eikelberger has been

able to. 

Photo courtesy of CarsonNow.Org (Sierra Ceccarelli, a young Carson City mother of two, was murdered in 2016)

On Dec. 9, 2016, Sierra Ceccarelli was found shot to death in the home of Eikelberger. Despite the

changed stories and suspicious circumstances surrounding her death, Eikelberger was not

immediately charged in Washoe County. Instead, Eikelberger was reportedly such a close family

friend of Hicks that Hicks recused his entire office from the prosecution, sending the case to Lyon

County, where it also was not immediately charged.

Notably, Eikelberger is broke enough to be represented by the Washoe County Alternate Public

Defender but somehow wealthy enough to pay a million-dollar bail bond. Nearly a decade later, the

matter is finally set for trial, but once again there is concern as to who will be prosecuting the

case as Lyon County District Attorney, Stephen Rye is expected to take over Third Judicial District

Court Department II in January 2027 as he is running unopposed for the seat.

Critics view the delay as evidence that some cases receive preferential treatment while others do

not. Meanwhile, the family of Sierra Ceccarelli continues to await justice.

But as we all know, justice delayed is justice DENIED.

Sadly, this isn’t a new story. Under Hicks, the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has

consistently been at the forefront of ire for families and victims despite the protections of Marsy’s

Law. From families not being notified of moved trial dates or plea agreement until the eleventh

hour, to victims of domestic violence being told that their cases are at a standstill for no apparent

reason, family and victims alike are essentially told to just be happy they are receiving any update

at all. Pushing through these complaints has become a game of Guess Who with the Deputy

District Attorneys pointing to victim advocates, and victim advocates not picking up the phone.

Oddly, while Hicks selectively accepts the principle of conflict of interest in the prosecution in

Robert Paul Eikelberger, he did not see an issue in the prosecution of Dennis Carry. In that matter,

Hicks merely erected ethical screening measures involving Carry's then wife, a close friend and

head honcho of the District Attorney’s Civil Division, while nevertheless proceeding with the

prosecution of the former Sheriff's Sergeant. It’s almost like Hicks’ campaign contributions, where

he felt that taking money from Matthew Addison was necessary and annual $5,000 donation from

the Peppermill was appropriate while mocking the casino’s 15.49% shareholder’s donation to his

opponent. Maybe Hicks’ principled acceptance of Peppermill donations was in support of the

charging of former Washoe County Deputy District Attorney, Kenneth Ching.

While voters have the opportunity to choose accountability, transparency, and consistency over

the status quo, the outcome of today's election will not end the questions facing Washoe County.

Regardless of who prevails on June 9, 2026, the public will continue to demand answers.