By Kelsey Givens

Emotions were running high in Pahrump Justice Court Wednesday afternoon as the man involved in Monday’s police standoff made his first appearance on alleged charges stemming from the incident.

Keith Recktenwald, 49, is being held on charges of hindering, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer, being under the influence of a controlled substance and prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

Family members watched emotionally as Recktenwald was brought into the court in an orange and white striped jail uniform and handcuffs.

Both inmate and family were visibly upset and confused as to why Recktenwald was in custody at the jail instead of the hospital or a detox facility getting help as they claim police promised.

According to the family, authorities told Recktenwald he would be taken to detox if he came out peacefully from the residence on Cajon Lane he had barricaded himself inside earlier this week.

Instead, he was taken to the hospital and then to the Nye County Detention Center where he was booked as an inmate after testing presumptive positive for methamphetamine.

Frustration from that change of plans in connection with coming down from the alleged drugs he had taken, may have largely played a part in the erratic behavior exhibited by Recktenwald in the courtroom Wednesday afternoon.

Family members said several times throughout his appearance and after that his behavior was something they had never seen before — it wasn’t like the Recktenwald they knew.

From the moment he walked in, Recktenwald was argumentative and uncooperative with both the bailiff and the detention deputy on duty.

He refused to sit down when told to do so, and told authorities in the room he didn’t want to speak to the judge because this is not where he was supposed to be.

Despite pleading from his family members sitting in the room and commands from the bailiff to calm down, Recktenwald continued to argue, and was eventually taken to the floor by the bailiff as he was read his rights.

Though usually there isn’t any interaction with members of the audience, Justice of the Peace Kent Jasperson made an exception in this case based on the circumstances, and spoke directly with Recktenwald’s family to find out whether or not he could post bail.

Jasperson ultimately decided to keep his bail set at $10,637 cash or bond.

“That’s not him; I’ve never seen him like that before,” one family member told a reporter after the appearance was over.

His wife said several times this was not something she had seen coming.

“He’s such a good person. He’s never had drug issues in his life and that’s what floors me,” she said “I saw the behaviors, but I just thought it was all the stuff we’ve been through, because we’ve been through a lot.”

The family continued to ask over and over again throughout the hearing why Recktenwald hadn’t been taken to detox like he had been promised during Monday’s standoff.

According to the declaration of arrest in the case, Recktenwald was taken to the hospital to get help after surrendering to police. However, the situation changed when he tested presumptive positive for meth, making him ineligible for the mental health hold.

“He was promised detox at the scene, that’s why he surrendered,” his wife said. “Then of course this happened and I’m just beside myself.”

The family was also trying to fight the third charge pending against Recktenwald for a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

They believe the court or police may have pulled the wrong files with that charge, instead looking at Recktenwald’s brother’s felony cases, which have also gone through the Pahrump justice system.

No official charges have been filed yet from the district attorney’s office, but Recktenwald is scheduled to appear for a formal arraignment on July 18.

Recktenwald was also allegedly behind a second call to an address on Cajon Lane the day after his standoff with police.

He allegedly told police his wife had a gun, and may be suicidal.

She said, however, she wasn’t, but after responding, police took her gun as a precaution.

Recktenwald may have called 911 from police custody, attempting to get back at his wife for calling 911 on him on Monday.

As of Thursday, he remained in custody in the Pahrump jail.

A second person was also arrested at the scene of the police standoff Monday, for allegedly trying to continue past the roadblock set up around the address and continue on to the home despite deputies’ warnings to turn around.

Harry Rood, 75, was arrested on charges of hindering, delaying, or obstructing a peace officer and resisting a peace officer.