Man given probation for Pope encounter

Kim Smith

Tuesday, March 28, 2000 | 10:37 a.m.

A Las Vegas man accused of engaging in a jailhouse sex act with a teenager suspected of shooting his father to death in January was placed on probation Monday.

District Judge Joseph Bonaventure said he is sure Reginald Fox, 26, will soon resume his life of misdemeanor crime, but placed Fox on three years of probation anyway.

Should Fox violate his probation, he could get up to four years in prison.

Fox swore he "wouldn't mess up."

"Thank you. I swear to God I won't let you down," Fox said.

Fox pleaded guilty to voluntary sexual conduct between a prisoner and another in connection with an incident that took place shortly after Conan Pope was arrested in the death of his father, Frank Pope, 62.

Authorities allege that the boy shot his father Jan. 6 when his father flew into a rage over a sink filled with dirty dishes, smashed them and then sent Conan and his sister, Desiree Pope, to their rooms.

Defense attorneys contend that Conan and his sister were the victims of abuse at the hands of their father and the teen acted to defend his sister. Conan told police his father was going toward Desiree's room holding a broom in a menacing manner.

The incident between Conan Pope and Fox prompted Deputy Special Public Defender Kristina Wildeveld to argue for special arrangements to be made for her client, whom she says fell victim to Fox, who has multiple convictions for prostitution.

Pope is now being housed in a cell by himself, but he has free time and television access when the rest of the inmates are on lock-down status. He is also allowed visits from tutors or teachers from the Clark County School District's alternative education program.

Kim Smith covers courts for the Sun. She can be reached at (702) 259-2321 or by e-mail at kimberly@lasvegassun.com