Man accused of threatening Carson City judge dies in prison

The man accused of firing shots into the home of Carson City Judge John Tatro, setting up an explosive device outside the home and sending a threatening Christmas card has died, Carson City law officials confirm.

John Aston, 74, died Thursday morning, 6:25 a.m. in the infirmary at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center. News of his death has been confirmed by the Carson City Sheriff's Office.

The Carson City Sheriff’s Office Coroner responded. An autopsy will be scheduled per NRS 209.3815. Next of kin have been notified.

Aston was sentenced in August to prison terms of 12 to 32 months and 16 to 40 months on the two offenses to be served consecutively. The sentences follow Aston’s convictions in June for carrying a loaded revolver concealed in his waistband without a concealed carry permit and for having a sawed-off shotgun in his vehicle.

Officers also discovered three additional firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, holsters, knives, cash, binoculars, and a map of northwestern Nevada in Aston’s car following his 2011 arrest. The convictions in this case are not related to the accusations involving Tatro.

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Last month, Aston pled not guilty to three felony counts regarding the Tatro threats. Trial was set to begin May 30, 2018.