News briefs for November 14, 2001

Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2001 | 9:36 a.m.

Suspects sought in woman's death

Henderson Police are looking for two men in connection with the July 6 slaying of a 21-year-old Henderson woman, who was shot to death in her home as she held her 3-week-old son.

Police have issued arrest warrants for Curtis Powers and Marcus Lowe, both 23.

Miranda Johnson, 21, was in her apartment with her son when three men entered her home on the night of July 6, police said. Johnson was found by her husband with a gunshot wound in her head. The baby, who was on the floor near her, was not injured.

Powers, who is also known as "Gotti" or "Iceberg Slim," is described as black, 5 feet, 7 inches, tall, 130 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Lowe, who is also known as "Marko" and "Marcus Fortune," is described as black, 5 feet, 11 inches, 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Both men should be considered armed and extremely dangerous, police said.

James Turner Jr. is awaiting trial for Johnson's murder. Turner was arrested July 10 when SWAT officers surrounded his Carey Avenue home, police said.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of these suspects is asked to call police at 565-2009 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.

Robber's brother facing trial

The brother of a Las Vegas man serving 130 years in prison for robbing Treasure Island three times has been bound over for trial on robbery charges.

Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle ruled Tuesday that there is enough evidence to try Donnell Johnson, 27, on five robbery and battery-related charges that stem from a July 12, 2000, robbery at Treasure Island.

Prosecutors suspect Johnson and his brother, Reggie Johnson, committed the robbery together, chartered a plane to California, pulled off a $1 million jewelry heist and then bought a condo in Mexico.

Reggie Johnson was arrested after robbing the hotel a second and third time, and his brother was arrested in September 2000 in Florida.

Donnell Johnson will be arraigned by District Judge John McGroarty Nov. 27.

Campbell found guilty in shooting

A Clark County jury took just two hours Tuesday to convict Damon Campbell of first-degree murder and attempted murder in a July shooting.

Louis Alberto Martinez, 32, was killed outside his Elm Avenue apartment. A second man, Carlos Villanueva, 28, was shot and paralyzed.

According to witnesses, Campbell, who is black, opened fire after saying that he didn't want to see any more Hispanic people in his neighborhood.

The jury found Campbell not guilty of a second attempted murder charge. Chief Deputy District Attorney David Roger had said Leonardo Martinez, the dead man's brother, was grazed by a bullet as he held a young child in his arms.

Jury fails to reach a decision

After deliberating two days, a Clark County jury could not reach a decision as to the guilt or innocence of a Las Vegas man in a January shooting death.

However, the jury did convict Vincent Pinder, 25, of two counts of felony escape.

Police said Pinder killed Duan T. Wilson, 28, because he was jealous after seeing Wilson driving around in Pinder's former girlfriend's car.

Wilson was found behind the wheel of the car in the 6500 block of Smoke Ranch Road near Torrey Pines Drive on Jan. 24, Metro Police said.

District Judge Sally Loehrer is scheduled to sentence Pinder next month. It is unclear whether prosecutors will try him again on the murder charge.

Visitors Center is now open

Tests have confirmed that a white powder found in a men's room at the Red Rock Canyon Visitors Center is not anthrax.

Bureau of Land Management officials discovered the white powder on Nov. 7 and closed the center over the Veterans Day holiday as the Nevada State Health Laboratory conducted tests for the bacteria.

The Visitors Center is open, and the $5 per carload fee for the scenic loop is being collected. Fees were waived by President Bush at all national parks and recreation areas during the Veterans Day weekend.

More than 10,000 people drove along the scenic drive over the three-day weekend, a 31 percent increase over last year, BLM spokesman Phil Guerrero said.

Man sentenced for manslaughter

A Las Vegas man was sentenced Tuesday to at least six years in prison in connection with a September stabbing death at a mobile home park.

Christopher Smith, 45, was convicted of stabbing 38-year-old Brad Kinman in the chest two times with a knife behind a mobile home at the Desert Paradise Mobile Home Park, 4070 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

District Judge Donald Mosley sentenced Smith to three to eight years for voluntary manslaughter, and an additional three to eight years for using a deadly weapon. The sentences will be served consecutively, which means Smith must serve a minimum of six years before he is eligible for parole.

City Hall offers high-tech maps

The city of Las Vegas' Information Technology Department today will celebrate National Geographic Information Science Day.

The public is invited to visit the fifth floor of City Hall, in the conference room, to view a map gallery that includes various maps that have been created using state-of-the-art technology and the GIS system. In addition to the open house, several area schools will be touring the city's Information Technology department.

Fire restrictions lifted at Charleston

Recent rain and snow showers have reduced the threat of fires in the Spring Mountains, prompting state Forester Steve Robinson to lift fire restrictions for state and private lands in the Mount Charleston area, beginning Thursday.

Early Tuesday morning Mount Charleston received more than an inch of snow, and the Lee Canyon ski area got about 2 inches, the National Weather Service said.

Restrictions on open burning have been in place since June 15. Fires were prohibited outside of developed campgrounds; smoking was banned anywhere except for cleared areas, inside vehicles or buildings; and driving off-road without an axe, a shovel and a gallon of water also was prohibited.

Dry conditions in Southern Nevada prompted the state to extend the restrictions further into the fall season than usual, Robinson said.

The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management will also on Thursday cancel fire restrictions for other federal lands in the Spring Mountain range.

The Nevada Division of Forestry enforces fire protection laws on state, county and private lands in its fire districts throughout the state.

$1.5 million in fed funds set

Rep. Shelley Berkley announced Tuesday that Congress will allocate $1.5 million for two Metro Police projects.

Berkley, D-Nev., said $1 million will go toward the Metro Automated Identification Network, which includes digital mug shots and fingerprinting systems.

The $10-million system is scheduled to be running in about six months, Metro officials said.

Metro also received $500,000 for the Cyber Crime Task Force, a partnership involving area local, state and federal authorities, who will investigate computer-related and Internet-related crimes.

Critical bird habitat identified

The Nevada Important Bird Areas program has opened an office in Carson City to recognize the state's critical bird habitats.

The Reno-based Lahontan Audubon Society, along with the National Audubon Society, is supporting the IBA program in Nevada.

So far, five critical habitats have been identified: the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge in Lincoln County, the Goshute Mountains, Ruby Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Walker Lake and the Lahontan Valley Wetlands.

The Important Bird Areas program began in Europe in 1985. The program uses a four-step process to determine whether habitats should be conserved and enhanced. Nominations for more sensitive areas are welcome.

Death of girl, 5, is investigated

Metro Police continue to investigate the death of a 5-month-old girl who was given medications recommended and sold by an unlicensed pharmacy.

Adriana Enciso died Friday in University Medical Center. The cause of death is pending the outcome of toxicology tests, which are expected in several weeks.

Three men who run the store were charged last week in connection with distribution of prescription medications and practicing medicine without a license.

They could face additional charges after the coroner's office gets the results from the tests, officials said.

Las Vegas Councilwoman

Lynette Boggs McDonald will host her first online town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m. today. The online chat will pertain to Ward 2 issues. Those interested in participating can sign up through the city's website (www.ci.las-vegas.nv.us).

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