Court briefs for March 15, 2001

Thursday, March 15, 2001 | 10:51 a.m.

2 teens sentenced in shooting death

Two Las Vegas teenagers were sentenced to life in prison Wednesday in connection with the March 2000 shooting death of a 25-year-old local resident.

Juan Tadeo, 17, will serve at least 40 years in prison before he will be eligible for parole. Jesus Celestin, 19, will serve at least 46 years.

The two were convicted of first-degree murder, burglary, robbery and arson in connection with the death of Conrad Sandoval.

Prosecutors allege Tadeo shot Sandoval after Sandoval flirted with Celestin's girlfriend and flashed a large sum of money at a party in March 2000.

After Sandoval was shot, prosecutors said the pair stole his wallet and torched his car.

District Judge Sally Loehrer ordered Celestin to serve his burglary, robbery and arson sentences one after the other, but she said Tadeo should serve his sentences at the same time.

Driver receives 4- to 20-year term

A 45-year-old Las Vegas woman who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs in connection with a fatal 1999 accident was given a four-to-20-year sentence Wednesday.

Diane Lynn Scott was sentenced by District Judge John McGroarty.

According to court records, Scott lost control of her vehicle on Nov. 20, 1999, while driving on Martin Luther King Boulevard. She crossed into the southbound lanes and struck a car being driven by Aaron Williams, 30.

Williams died and a passenger, Melody Toms, was seriously injured.

Police allege that in addition to driving at least 56 mph in a 35 mph zone, blood tests showed Scott had cocaine, Valium and morphine in her system.