City Attorney Wes Duncan Announces Domestic Battery Conviction

The Sparks City Attorney's Office has announced that its prosecutor secured a conviction for Domestic Battery against Marco Estrada-Chavez, stemming from an incident that occurred on November 3, 2024.

On November 3, 2024, the victim's and defendant's 11-year-old son ran to a nearby family member's home, knocking on the door and pleading for help. The victim's family member contacted Sparks Police Dispatch, stating that their niece had been hit by her ex-husband. The Defendant, Marco ESTRADA-CHAVEZ, fled the scene prior to an officer arriving on scene.

Law enforcement spoke with the victim, who stated that ESTRADA-CHAVEZ had arrived with their two sons to drop them off. Her youngest son came into the house and told her ESTRADA-CHAVEZ wanted to speak with her. She said she would rather speak to him over the phone. ESTRADA-CHAVEZ became angry and started kicking the front door of the residence. The victim exited the house through the garage and began speaking to him. He was arguing about items that he felt she was keeping from him. She says ESTRADA-CHAVEZ was threatening her by saying she was going to pay him from what she had, referring to her vehicle. She says she told him, "I'm no longer afraid of you." This made ESTRADA-CHAVEZ angry, and he punched her in the chest and shoved her, resulting in redness due to the injury. After this happened, she called out to her uncle for help. The victim's boyfriend heard the fight and also came out in defense of the victim. The Defendant left after being confronted by nearby family members and the victim's boyfriend. The victim stated ESTRADA-CHAVEZ had hit her multiple times in the past, but she had been too afraid to report it.

Their 16-year-old son confirmed how the argument initiated and that he saw his father, ESTRADA-CHAVEZ, punch his mom in the chest. Their 11-year-old stated he heard the noise from outside and went to see what was going on. When he got outside, he saw everyone arguing and went to his family's house next door.

Later that evening, law enforcement was able to locate ESTRADA-CHAVEZ. He admitted to being at the victim's house and being in an argument, but states he never touched her. No physical injuries to ESTRADA-CHAVEZ were observed, and he did not report being assaulted. Officers determined there was probable cause to arrest ESTRADA-CHAVEZ for Domestic Battery, first offense, and two counts of Domestic Battery in the presence of a child.

On February 18, 2026, Senior Assistant City Attorney Ana Swanson represented the City of Sparks and secured a conviction for Domestic Battery, first offense against the Defendant, after the case being delayed due to pending family court matters.

"The Sparks City Attorney's Office will continue to hold offenders accountable, particularly when they commit unacceptable acts of violence in the presence of children," said Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan.

As a result of the conviction, a Sparks Municipal Court Judge rendered the following sentence: Mr. Estrada-Chavez will serve the maximum term of 180 days in the Washoe County Jail suspended for two year, on the conditions that he spend 2 active days in jail, complete 48 hours of community service, pay a $200 fine plus administrative assessments, pay a $35 domestic violence fee, complete 26 weeks of domestic violence classes, attend an 8-hour class on the effects of violence in the home, have no contact with the victim unless it complies with their family court order, abstain from drugs and alcohol, surrender any firearms, and obey all laws.