News briefs for June 22, 2005

Wednesday, June 22, 2005 | 9:49 a.m.

Man who died in police custody ID'd

The man who died in Metro Police custody after being stunned with a Taser gun outside of the Western Hotel on June 6 has been identified as 47-year-old Russell Walker.

The Clark County coroner's office could not release the victim's name until his relatives were notified of his death, and investigators were unable to locate his family until Tuesday, a coroner's office spokeswoman said.

The cause and manner of Walker's death are pending toxicology tests and further studies. If his death is determined to be a homicide, a coroner's inquest will be scheduled.

Police said Walker was causing a disturbance at the casino on Fremont Street and struggled with Metro Officer Matthew Ruiz when he arrived to assist Western security.

Sgt. Cindy Rodriguez came to help Ruiz and used her Taser gun on Walker twice so they could handcuff him, police said.

Walker allegedly continued to struggle with the officers and Ruiz used his Taser on him a third time while he was in handcuffs.

Metro has a policy against using a Taser on those who are cuffed, and police officials are investigating

Lightning sparks brush fire

Lightning from thunderstorms scattered over the valley last night is believed to have sparked a brush fire in an isolated area of the La Madre Mountain Range between the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon, officials said.

Crews were on their way this morning to assess the situation and helicopters had also been sent to attack the fire from the air. The Forest Service did know how many separate fires were burning in the area. As many as four had been reported.

"We just know there are reports of numerous fires," said said Forest Service spokeswoman Beth Short. "So many people are calling in numerous fires. They're (dispatch) not sure until they get the crews in there which ones are repeat fires calls on numerous starts."

LV man accused of drug sales

A man arrested Saturday in Las Vegas and his 75-year-old mother are accused along with 22 others of bringing thousands of painkilling pills to New Hampshire for illegal sale throughout New England.

Randall Noe, 37, is charged with obtaining hundreds of Oxycodone tablets over a period of years, authorities said.

The 24 are charged with conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone and conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, they face prison sentences of up to 20 years and fines of up to $2 million.

Federal and local authorities confiscated more than 500 tablets, several automobiles, jewelry and thousands of dollars in raids in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Nevada and Florida.

Noe's mother, Rita Noe, allegedly helped launder the money. She surrendered to U.S. marshals Monday and was released pending an indictment, officials said.

Court documents say Randall Noe organized air shuttles for Oxycodone users who would fly to West Palm Beach, Fla., visit a doctor to fill prescriptions and then turn the pills over to Noe.