News briefs for Jan. 31, 2003

Friday, Jan. 31, 2003 | 9:48 a.m.

LV man sentenced in McDonald's scam

A federal judge in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday sentenced a man to two years in prison for a multimillion-dollar scam involving McDonald's promotional games such as "Monopoly" and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire."

Two other men, one from Las Vegas, were sentenced to six months of home arrest, and another to probation.

The four men were the latest to be sentenced in a broad probe into the years-long conspiracy, which prosecutors say involved more than $20 million in fraudulently redeemed game pieces. The pieces were attached to McDonald's drinks and food boxes or obtained through advertising.

The four men sentenced Thursday -- Jerome Pearl, 45, of Miami; George Chandler, 30, of Walhalla, S.C.; John Henderson, 50, of Las Vegas; and Kevin Whitfield, of Savannah, Ga. -- were accused of recruiting winners or acting as winners in the games. Among the prizes they stole were a $1 million winning piece and luxury sports cars, prosecutors say.

Woman found dead in apartment

A 23-year-old woman was found dead Thursday night inside a Maryland Parkway apartment, and a 1 1/2-year-old boy was recovered safely by Metro Police.

The child was taken into protective custody and placed at Child Haven, police said, after arriving at the Camelot Apartments in the 5000 block of Maryland.

Another Camelot resident noticed a woman on the floor of an apartment about 8 p.m., Metro Homicide Lt. Tom Monahan said.

There was no obvious cause of death, Monahan said, but homicide detectives are investigating because of the woman's age.

The Clark County coroner's office was withholding the woman's name until the family is notified.

Life sentence given in killing

A man accused of killing a Florida man near rental car businesses at McCarran International Airport was sentenced to life in prison Thursday.

Christian Caples, 25, could be eligible for parole after 20 years in the December 2001 murder of 31-year-old Patrick Allocca Jr., of Delray Beach, Fla.

Caples was also sentenced to five to 15 years in prison for a stalking charge. The sentences will be served concurrently.

Caples was also ordered to pay $26,700 in restitution.

The incident occurred on Rent-A-Car Road near the airport. Police say Caples had been pursuing Allocca's girlfriend.

An argument ensued when Allocca and the woman were returning a rental car, which led to the shooting death, police said.

NLV water-bill payments changed

Beginning today North Las Vegas water customers will be able to pay their utility bills on Fridays at a new location.

Bill payments and requests for water service be turned off or on will be accepted, and customer service representatives will be available at the city's Public Works Building at 2829 Fort Sumter Drive on Fridays. The office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Previously customers could drop off their payments at Municipal Court on Fridays, but that is no longer an option.

Monday through Thursday water customers can do business at City Hall, which is closed on Fridays.

Customers can also continue to pay their water bills at six Western Union locations.

For more information, call 633-1484.