News briefs for Jan. 15, 2004

Thursday, Jan. 15, 2004 | 10:59 a.m.

Man sentenced for bilking senior

CARSON CITY -- Lawrence Yanez was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison Tuesday for bilking senior citizens out of more than $300,000.

Yanez, 50, was also ordered to repay $314,932 to the victims, who were both in Nevada and out of state. He earlier pleaded guilty to four counts of securities fraud against persons 65 and older and one count each of selling an unregistered security and transacting business without a broker-dealer's license.

The state attorney general's office said Yanez contacted his victims by telephone, telling them he was a securities broker and offering to sell securities in Creative Business Solutions and Nevada Heart and Imaging Center.

Neither company existed. Yanez used the money for credit card and mortgage payments, church contributions and other personal expenses, authorities said.

The securities division of the secretary of state's office seized $50,998 from Yanez earlier and that is marked for restitution.

Yanez's wife, Emily, 30, had appeared in Justice Court earlier on a misdemeanor count and was ordered to repay $10,000 by April 1 to the victims.

She has paid $6,000 so far, a spokesman for Attorney General Brian Sandoval said.

Man in head-on collision dies

A man whose car was hit Tuesday night by a vehicle heading in the wrong direction on U.S. 95 has died, the Nevada Highway Patrol said.

Jose Cuevas-Flores, 58, was pronounced dead Wednesday at University Medical Center.

He was driving north on U.S. 95 about 10:50 p.m. when his four-door Toyota sedan collided with a car heading south in the northbound lanes. The driver of that car has been identified as Heather Patrick, 21, Trooper Angie Wolff said.

Initial reports said Cuevas-Flores was driving a sport utility vehicle.

Patrick and Cuevas-Flores both were both suspected of driving while under the influence. Patrick, who is being treated for critical injuries at University Medical Center, may face additional charges in connection with Cuevas-Flores' death.

A third vehicle hit some of the crash debris, but no one was injured, Wolff said.

Four hospitalized in auto collision

Four people were taken to University Medical Center after a 10:30 a.m. crash Wednesday at Warm Springs Road and Valle Verde Drive in Henderson.

A gold 2003 Honda Accord heading west on Warm Springs turned left onto Valle Verde in the path of a green 1961 Ford bus driven by 46-year-old Richard Warren, Officer Shane Lewis said.

The bus broadsided the Honda, pushing it into a white 1993 Pontiac Grand Prix driven by Michelle Engle, 24.

Engle, the driver of the Honda and two passengers on the bus were taken to the hospital. Alcohol is not believed to be a factor. No citations have been issued and the investigation is ongoing, Lewis said.

Elder Bush to speak at Reno convention

RENO -- Two of the key figures in the first Persian Gulf war will be the featured speakers at next week's 32nd annual convention of the Safari Club International in Reno.

Former President George Bush will address the group Wednesday and retired Army General H. Norman Schwarzkopf will speak on Saturday.

More than 16,000 hunters are expected to attend the four-day gathering at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

Bush and Schwarzkopf, who commanded U.S. forces in the first Persian Gulf War, have spoken at previous Safari conventions in Reno.

The Safari Club convention is Reno's biggest. The Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority estimates the events economic impact at $20 million. It's a members-only event.

The Safari Club returned to Reno in 2003 after holding its convention in Las Vegas for two years during the renovation and expansion of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

The Safari Club, with headquarters in Tucson, has a worldwide membership. Club officials estimate about 30 percent of convention attendance is from overseas.

The event includes more than 1,000 vendors, featuring hunting equipment and art.

Along with the exhibits, there will be an auction of firearms, hunting art and hunting trips.