News briefs for April 22, 2002

Monday, April 22, 2002 | 9:35 a.m.

Wood to replace Johnston at Nellis

Maj. Gen. L.D. Johnston will retire as commander of the Air Warfare Center at Nellis Air Force Base and be replaced by a Persian Gulf War combat pilot, according to the Air Force.

Brig. Gen. Stephen G. Wood will take over on June 25 for Johnston, who is also head of the Air Combat Command at Nellis.

Wood currently is deputy director of legislative liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force in Washington, where he represents the Air Force before Congress on issues such as weapons systems, programs and legislative and constituent inquiries.

Woman receives one year in scheme

A woman involved in a scheme designed to trick buyers into believing historic railroad bonds were worth thousands of dollars was sentenced Friday to one year and one day in prison.

Debra Lorraine Caldera, 49, was also ordered to pay $75,000 in restitution by U.S. District Court Judge Phillip Pro.

In August 2001 Caldera pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud for her part in a scheme masterminded by Anil Kumar Gupta. According to court records Caldera played the part of the supposed buyer of the bonds, making the victims believe that there was resale value.

Caldera received a reduced sentence because of her cooperation with prosecutors, which secured a guilty plea from Gupta. Gupta will face sentencing later this year.

Sheriff's deputy loses appeal

A federal appeals court has ruled that former Washoe County Sheriff Dick Kirkland did not discipline a deputy because he was a member of a motorcycle gang.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the appeal of John Strahan, who claimed his First Amendment rights of free association were violated when he was demoted and transferred because he belonged to a motorcycle club called "Blind Justice."