Pahrump Man Faces Felony Charges for Strangulation, Unlawful Imprisonment

Mark Pennington was reported in custody facing serious felony charges after deputies say he strangled a woman and held her against her will during an incident in Pahrump, according to KPVM's Daily Arrest report filed March 31. Reporter Cristy Willis delivered the notice in the station's on-air segment, describing Pennington as "behind bars facing serious felony charges."

The two charges carry distinct weight under Nevada law. Domestic battery by strangulation is a category C felony under NRS 200.485, punishable by one to five years in Nevada State Prison and fines of up to $10,000. What separates it from most domestic violence offenses is a provision that bars judges from granting probation in lieu of prison: a conviction means incarceration, not community supervision. Nevada defines strangulation as intentionally impairing a person's normal breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the throat, neck, nose, or mouth, and medical and legal experts consistently connect the act to a heightened risk of fatal escalation in domestic violence cases.

The second charge, unlawfully holding a woman against her will, is prosecuted as false imprisonment under Nevada statute and treats coercive control as a harm separate from the physical assault itself. Together, the two counts describe a pattern: one targeting the attack on her body, the other targeting her loss of freedom.

Under Nye County's standard felony process, Pennington will appear before Pahrump Justice Court for arraignment and a bail determination. If the Nye County District Attorney's office files formal charges and probable cause holds, the case advances to the Fifth Judicial District Court. No-contact orders prohibiting the defendant from approaching or communicating with the victim are routinely imposed as a release condition. Under Nevada law, emergency protective orders can be issued within hours of an arrest, giving victims enforceable legal protection before any trial proceedings begin. Victim advocates are also typically engaged at this early stage to assist with safety planning and court navigation.

Anyone in Pahrump dealing with domestic violence right now can contact No To Abuse, operated by Nevada Outreach Training Organization, at 621 S. Blagg Road. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and staff provide emergency shelter, legal advocacy, and help filing protective orders at (775) 751-1118. A 24-hour crisis line is available at (888) 882-2873. For official booking information and case updates, the Nye County Sheriff's Office Records Division at 1520 E. Basin Avenue can be reached at (775) 751-7011 during business hours.

Pennington's case remains an active criminal matter. Public records through Pahrump Justice Court and the Fifth Judicial District will track each step of the proceedings as they occur.