Las Vegas news briefs for June 18, 1999

Friday, June 18, 1999 | 6:14 a.m.

Two men face charges in shooting

Two men have been ordered to stand trial on murder charges in the shooting death of Leonard Harvey, 35, at an apartment complex in the 100 block of Martin Luther King Boulevard.

At the end of Thursday's preliminary hearing, Justice of the Peace James Bixler ruled there was sufficient evidence to hold Anthony Lucas, 17, and Alans David Hopkins, 18, for trial in District Court.

Arraignment has been set for June 24 in District Judge Jeff Sobel's courtroom.

Investigators believe the victim had a confrontation with Lucas and Hopkins on May 26 and the fatal shots were fired in retaliation later that day.

Harvey's body was found at the Desert Springs Apartment complex, 100 S. Martin Luther King Blvd., about an hour later.

Girl, 14, escapes being grabbed by man

A 14-year-old girl escaped a suspected kidnapping attempt Wednesday near the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Paradise Road, according to Metro Police.

Police say a man between the ages of 35 and 45 driving an older four-door gray car with unknown Nevada license plates tried unsuccessfully to grab the girl and force her into the car around 1 p.m.

Police say the suspect was described as a 5-foot-8-inch Hispanic man with black hair, moustache and a goatee. He was wearing tan pants and a white shirt. Anyone with information on the attempted kidnapping is asked to call Metro Police.

Molestation suspect mentally imcompetent

The man charged in the molestations of two women at Summerlin Hospital has been determined by two psychiatrists to be incompetent to stand trial, delaying today's scheduled preliminary hearing.

Within a matter of days, 38-year-old Roy Alan O'Guinn will be on his way to the state's mental facility at Lake's Crossing, near Reno.

Justice of the Peace James Bixler today sent the case charging O'Guinn with five counts of sexually assaulting of one female patient and fondling another to District Court for the formal order.

Once O'Guinn is determined to be competent to stand trial, he will be returned to Clark County to face the criminal charges that could result in a life prison term if he is convicted of the May 27 incidents.

O'Guinn, a North Las Vegas resident, has prior convictions for sexual offenses. Police records show O'Guinn was convicted of sex crimes in California in 1980 and in Nevada in 1989.

Father faces murder charge

Michael Anthony East, 21, of Las Vegas, was arrested Wednesday on a murder charge after his infant son died Tuesday.

Metro Police say East severely injured his son earlier this year although they would not disclose what type of injuries were inflicted or the name of the boy. East was originally arrested Feb. 12 on charges of child abuse, according to police.

His son was hospitalized for his injuries and released, but he was eventually returned to the hospital where he died, Lt. Tom Monahan said. Police allege that the boy died as a result of the original injuries suffered at the hands of his father, Monahan said.

East was awaiting a court date on the original child abuse charge when he was re-arrested on the new charge of murder, Monahan said.

Busy day for Air Force personnel

Nellis Air Force Base personnel had a busy day Thursday with three events occurring almost simultaneously.

At 10 a.m. a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to open a $12 million dormitory that will house 144 airmen.

The 820th Red Horse "Team Two" engineering unit deployed at 11:55 a.m. to Albania. The 188-person team will join other allied engineer units in making repairs to roads and bridges in Albania.

And the Weapons School unveiled a monument honoring its graduates during the 50th anniversary celebration of the school. Military pilots attending the Weapons School become experts on weapons, weapons systems and combat maneuvers.

Aging advocates SNAG $410,000

Nevada was awarded a three-year federal grant Thursday for $410,000 from the Administration on Aging.

Nevada's Project SNAG (Senior Nevada Advocates on Guard) was chosen as one of 34 new projects throughout the country to receive federal funding.

Project SNAG is a joint program by the attorney general's office and the Division for Aging Services. The program will recruit, train and place senior volunteers around the state who will assist seniors in gaining a better understanding of Medicare statements and billing procedures.

Scientists, doctors to discuss progress

More than 20 research scientists and physicians from the University of Nevada School of Medicine, UNLV and the University of Nevada, Reno, will present overviews on their work beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday at a seminar on the UNLV campus.

The talks will be conducted at the Thomas Bean Engineering A-Building, Room 107. It is free.

Topics will cover the latest research in breast and lung cancer, trauma, shock and injury prevention, computer imaging and mammography, environmental tobacco smoke and smoking cessation, pediatric genetics and Alzheimer's disease.

Grant provides for sting funding

The state attorney general's office has received federal funding to continue over-the-counter sting operations to make sure tobacco sellers aren't selling to children.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has allocated $242,920 to the state for the next year, which translates to about 300 inspections a month.

The stings are conducted with the aid of a person under the age of 18 who is supervised by an adult investigator. The minor enters the store and tries to buy cigarettes or chewing tobacco.

If a tobacco product is sold to the minor, the store receives a warning. A second infraction results in a $250 fine and the fine can be increased as high as $10,000 for multiple infractions.

Celebrity appearances to highlight ball

Television anchors Deborah Levy of Las Vegas 1 and Kevin Janison of KLAS Channel 8 will host the American Cancer Society's second annual Cattle Baron's Ball from 7:30 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Legends Ranch, 8213 Rancho Destino.

Bill Medley, one half of the singing duo the Righteous Brothers, will perform at 10:30 p.m. for about 500 invited guests.

Former pro football star Ronnie Lott will be on hand to meet guests. Authentic Southwest food, line dancing and a live and silent auction are planned. Legends in Concert celebrity impersonators will also perform.

The Legends Ranch is located off Las Vegas Boulevard and Windmill Road. For information, call Paulette Salti at 379-3726.

For the record

The Metro Police academy graduated 98 cadets at 9 a.m. ceremony today at Cashman Center. The graduates have completed 20 weeks of intensive law enforcement training, police said. The new officers will now undergo field training with experienced officers.