News briefs for Sept. 12, 2003

Friday, Sept. 12, 2003 | 11:14 a.m.

Man pleads guilty in DUI fatalities

A 20-year-old Las Vegas man faces two to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of driving under the influence and causing death or substantial bodily harm Thursday.

Octavio Mendoza entered an Alford plea, which is similar to a no-contest plea, before District Judge Jackie Glass.

Mendoza had been facing multiple counts of driving under the influence, reckless driving and involuntary manslaughter in connection with a November 2002 car accident. The accident near Maryland Parkway killed Danielliz Mutuc, 22, and Rene Perales, 16.

Authorities estimate Mendoza was driving a 1997 Pontiac 64 mph in a 30 mph zone when his car hit the median and crossed over three lanes of oncoming traffic.

Medoza's car was broadsided by a vehicle driven by David Bobrosky. Mutuc was a passenger in Bobrosky's car and Perales was a passenger in Mendoza's car.

Mendoza had a blood-alcohol level of 0.15 at the time of the collision, according to police.

He is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 30 before Glass.

Fugitive in child sex case arrested

A man wanted for three counts of alleged child molestation in Los Angeles County was arrested in Las Vegas on Wednesday.

Metro Police arrested Jay Wilson, 37, in front of the Sav-On drugstore at 160 N. Rainbow Blvd., Officer Jose Montoya, Metro spokesman, said. Police had been searching for Wilson and knew he had a prescription filled at the drugstore, Montoya said.

The location had been staked out for two days before Wilson arrived, Montoya said.

Wilson will be extradited to California, Montoya said.