Court briefs for April 24, 2002

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | 9:49 a.m.

Man sentenced to 15 years

A 21-year-old Las Vegas man was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison Tuesday in connection with a fatal stabbing three years ago.

Raul Gonzales was accused of stabbing Wilbur Rodriguez, 19, in the chest on Valentine's Day 1999 during a gang dispute.

Rodriguez died at University Medical Center 20 days later after developing pneumonia.

Gonzales was charged with murder, but pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with use of a deadly weapon with the intent to promote, further or assist a criminal gang.

District Judge Donald Mosley ordered Gonzales to serve his sentence after he serves a three-year theft sentence in an unrelated case. The judge also ordered him to pay $146,000 in restitution.

Gonzales will receive 900 days credit for time already served in jail.

Care facilities' owner takes deal

The owner of a group care business who allegedly stole $450,000 from one of his elderly patients has entered a plea agreement.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Valerie Adair said Richard Allen Smith, 49, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of exploitation of the elderly.

As a result of the plea agreement, Smith could get probation or as much as 20 years in prison on June 24, Adair said. He could also receive a $25,000 fine.

In addition, Adair said District Judge Kathy Hardcastle will likely order Smith to pay restitution.

Smith was arrested in April 2001 for allegedly taking advantage of his position as the owner of Senior Connections LLC, a business operating group care facilities for senior citizens who can no longer care for themselves.

Police say Smith forged a victim's signature, redirected the victim's mail and added his name to the victim's bank accounts so he could steal the $450,000.

archive