Jeff Pope

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'Remorseful' ex-bus driver gets 10 years in molestation case: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009; A former elementary school bus driver was sentenced today to 10 years in prison on sexual molestation charges. Richard Stephen, 63, pleaded guilty in July to two counts of attempted lewdness with a child under the age of 14 and was facing up to 40 years in prison.
Judge delays action on 215 Beltway project: Monday, Oct. 19, 2009; A federal judge this morning ordered the Clark County Commission not to vote Tuesday on bids for a $100 million-plus highway project. Federal Court Judge Robert Jones scheduled a Nov. 2 hearing on whether to grant a preliminary injunction.
Gunman in NY-NY shooting sentenced to 26 to 90 years: Steven Zegrean will be eligible for parole in 26 years; Monday, Oct. 19, 2009; The man convicted of injuring four people in a shootout at the New York-New York hotel-casino in July 2007 was sentenced today to 26 to 90 years in prison. Steven Zegrean, 53, was arrested at the scene after firing 16 shots. His 9 mm semi-automatic pistol jammed on the 17th bullet and Justin Lampert, an Army National Guardsman from North Dakota, took the opportunity to jump onto Zegrean’s back.
Hawaiian cop pleads not guilty to drug charges: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009; A Honolulu police officer arrested in Las Vegas on misdemeanor drug charges was arraigned Thursday in Las Vegas Justice Court.
Alleged gang members plead not guilty in teen's death: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009; Two alleged gang members were arraigned today for the murder of a 16-year-old boy.
Jaime Alcaraz and Ramon Rodriquez pleaded not guilty in Clark County District Court to felony charges of murder with use of a deadly weapon to promote a gang and conspiracy to commit murder with a deadly weapon to promote a gang.
Man pleads not guilty in shooting death of girl, 9: Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009; A North Las Vegas man was arraigned today on charges of shooting to death a 9-year-old girl. Marcus Larry, 27, pleaded not guilty in Clark County District Court to the June 12 murder of Savannah Bullins.
Teen sentenced in stabbing death of one-time friend: Witness tells police teens were at odds because one painted over the other's graffiti; Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009; The street fight appeared like any other between two teenage boys. They faced off, exchanged harsh words, pushed each other and threw punches. Or rather witnesses thought they were just punches until they saw blood. Instead, the larger boy throwing the punches had a paring knife with a 3-inch blade in his hand and thrust it repeatedly into the other boy. A few hours later, 17-year-old Richard Martinez died in the hospital from multiple stab wounds.
With no charges, woman accused in husband's death set free: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009; Charges haven't been filed against a 25-year-old Las Vegas woman arrested in the shooting death of her husband earlier this month and a justice of the peace today ordered her released from custody.
Judge upholds guilty plea in drive-by shooting case: Monday, Oct. 12, 2009; The guilty plea agreement of a 17-year-old boy facing life in prison will stand, a Clark County District Court judge said today. Judge Stefany Miley said there was no legal basis to allow Gerald Davison to recant his guilty plea to first-degree murder.
Man, 86, held in wife’s death to remain jailed: Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009; An 86-year-old Las Vegas man who police say shot and killed his wife but failed in his attempt to commit suicide will remain jailed unless a psychiatric evaluation shows he’s no longer a danger to himself.
Men go on trial in bombing of Henderson clothing store: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009; A trial began on Wednesday for two Henderson men accused of detonating chemical bombs on April 21 in a Henderson clothing store.
NLV man charged in girlfriend's death pleads not guilty: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009; A North Las Vegas man charged with killing his girlfriend was arraigned today in Clark County District Court.
Metro wants county's weaker prostitution laws to match city's: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009; Metro Police say workers in the illegal sex industry know it’s better to be busted for solicitation in the unincorporated county rather than in the city of Las Vegas.
County eliminates part-time, vacant full-time positions: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009; Clark County eliminated some part-time personnel and 31.5 vacant full-time positions in an effort to reduce budget shortfalls but stopped short of cutting any occupied full-time positions.
County OKs Sprint Cup activities on Strip: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009; NASCAR’s best drivers will be taking a victory lap on the Strip.
County happy with Prive's progress, grants 90-day license: Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009; Pleased by the progress Prive owners have made in the past month, county commissioners today granted the nightclub a 90-day temporary license.
Nevada Supreme Court hears arguments in Las Vegas: Monday, Oct. 5, 2009; Nevada Supreme Court justices were in Las Vegas today to hear arguments on three appealed cases that originated in Clark County.
Attorney: Man charged in wife’s death could die before trial: Medical hearing set for Thursday; attorney seeks bail for ailing client; Monday, Oct. 5, 2009; An 86-year-old man accused of shooting his wife to death then turning the gun on himself might not live long enough to stand trial, his attorney said. Joseph Woods suffers from numerous health problems that require medical attention that is inadequate in the county jail, his public defender said.
Man who left kids in car to gamble gets probation: Monday, Oct. 5, 2009; A Las Vegas man who left his two children alone in a car for more than an hour while he drank and gambled was sentenced today to one year of probation.
Teens charged in couple's slaying appear in court: Attorneys say Timothy Chester and Victor Veliz could be tried together; Monday, Oct. 5, 2009; Two teenagers accused of murdering a Las Vegas couple last week appeared today in separate Las Vegas Justice Court rooms.
Summerlin jewelry designer leaves art festival with honors: Monday, Oct. 5, 2009; For 35 years, Karen Leslie Carmichael danced and performed acrobatics up and down the Strip and all over the world.
Firefighters gather to remember fallen comrades: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2009; Firefighters from all around the country gathered for the 28th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
Inmate invokes Hitler, removed from courtroom: Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009; Bailiffs carried an inmate out of a Clark County courtroom this morning after the man started screaming at the judge and invoking the name of Adolph Hitler. Ryan Clifford Thorsen, 22, was scheduled to be sentenced today after pleading guilty to one charge of battery by a prisoner for spitting on a guard at the Clark County Detention Center in May 2007.
Man who shot ex-wife at Gold Spike gets 40 years: Mauricio Solano, whose ex had their baby in her arms, eligible for parole in 16 years; Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009; Yeni Osorio knew her ex-husband had a violent temper. She said he beat her many times during their marriage, even when she was pregnant with their daughter. But, Osorio said, she never expected he would be capable of trying to kill her. Then, on Nov. 17, 2008, Mauricio Solano put a stolen Beretta .22-caliber pistol to his ex-wife’s head while she held their 18-month-old daughter. “I held on to my daughter and screamed, ‘help, help.’ And that was the end for me,” Osorio said today through a Spanish language interpreter.
Judge binds ACORN, former employee for trial: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009; The political advocacy organization ACORN and a former manager will stand trial in District Court on charges that they paid canvassers to collect voter registration applications in the 2008 election cycle.
Judge bars sale of dog business to Heidi Fleiss: Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009; Heidi Fleiss won't be getting into the dog business just yet. The former Hollywood madam had paid about $10,000 toward a Las Vegas dog grooming business with a friend, former porn star Kendra Rossi, and named the shop Dirty Dogs.
Ex-ACORN official outlines alleged illegal voter registration plan: Organization says registration goal was only a target; Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009; During the 2008 election cycle, the Las Vegas office of the organization ACORN was looking for ways to motivate its best canvassers who were collecting voter registration cards, former Field Director Christopher Edwards said.
Edwards, testifying at a court hearing, said he created a bonus incentive program called “Blackjack” or “21+” that awarded an extra $5 to any canvasser who collected at least 21 registration cards.
His immediate supervisor, Amy Busefink, welcomed the idea and he bragged about its success on conference calls with his peers around the country, Edwards said.
Man accused of tying up toddlers pleads not guilty: Monday, Sept. 28, 2009; A man accused of tying up and gagging two children and leaving them alone in a garage was arraigned today in Clark County District Court.
Three walk away from Mount Charleston helicopter crash: Metro Police say two men, one woman escaped before aircraft caught fire; Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009; Three people on board a helicopter that crashed Sunday near the Mount Charleston peak escaped with injuries that weren't life-threatening, authorities said. The Clark County Fire Department received a report of the aircraft crash at 6:33 p.m. Sunday. The pilot had called in the crash from his cell phone, Metro Police said.
Apartment fire displaces two, prompts evacuation: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009; A child playing with a barbecue lighter set a couch on fire Sunday morning, prompting the evacuation of an apartment building near Main Street and Wyoming Avenue, according to Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.
Two women hospitalized after crash closes I-15 lanes: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009; Two women were airlifted to the hospital this morning after they were ejected from their car during a rollover crash on Interstate 15 near Sloan. Witnesses said the car, a Toyota Scion, was speeding and weaving through traffic when the driver lost control, according to the Nevada Highway Patrol.
Second man charged in shooting of boy, 8, pleads not guilty: Trial set for Nov. 10; Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009; A 20-year-old man authorities say was the driver of a vehicle allegedly involved in a shooting in which a bullet struck an 8-year-old boy pleaded not guilty today in District Court.
Man could face death penalty in rape, murder of young girl: Monday, Sept. 21, 2009; A man accused of raping and killing a 7-year-old girl in 1994 could face the death penalty. Deputy District Attorney Robert Daskas told District Court Judge Elissa Cadish today that his office intends to seek capital punishment for Gregory Wallen.
Man accused of shooting 8-year-old boy pleads not guilty: Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009; A man accused of shooting an 8-year-old boy pleaded not guilty today in District Court. Authorities have charged Carlos Reyes, 22, with firing the bullet that struck the boy in the chest as he was walking with his 13-year-old sister and three younger cousins to a nearby school playground in northeast Las Vegas.
Judge OKs more settlements in class action Kitec plumbing case: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009; Additional settlements were approved today in a valley-wide plumbing defect lawsuit. Deals reached with six builders and two plumbers that installed Kitec plumbing fixtures during the housing boom were fair to homeowners, said District Court Judge Timothy Williams.
Trial rescheduled for man charged in Mother’s Day stabbing death: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009; The trial of a man accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death on Mother’s Day has been pushed back to April 19.
Trial delayed in clothing store explosives case: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009; Defense attorney Marty Hart said prosecutors handed him the results of DNA tests this morning, just five days before his client’s trial on charges related to explosive devices found at a Henderson clothing store was scheduled to start.
Federal charges in $7 million pot bust likely to trump state's: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009; State drug charges likely will be dropped against a man accused of growing $7 million worth of marijuana because federal charges are likely to take precedence, his attorney said today.
Krolicki case to remain in Clark County: Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009; If the criminal case against Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki goes to trial, the jury will be selected from Clark County. District Court Judge Valerie Adair denied a motion today from Krolicki’s attorneys, Richard Wright and Margaret Stanish, to change the venue to Carson City or Washoe County.
110 back in Vegas after four months in Iraq: Airmen return to Nellis in time for Labor Day weekend; Monday, Sept. 7, 2009; Family and friends welcomed home 110 airmen to Nellis Air Force Base Sunday night just in time for the holiday.
Some families said the traditional Labor Day barbecue means even more this year because they will spend it with loved ones who had been serving a four-month stint in Iraq. While deployed, they provided more than 2,000 hours of alert support, completed more than 400 missions and saved five lives through medevac missions. All who deployed returned safely, though a few are returning with equipment later this week, said Lt. Col. Thomas Dorl, commander of the 66th squadron.
Trial delayed for former special ed teacher accused of abuse: Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009; A trial has been moved to March for a former special education teacher charged with hitting five autistic children with a yardstick. Mamie Hubbard-Washington, 66, faces five counts of abuse, neglect or endangerment of a child after allegations that she disciplined students by using physical force.
Attorney seeks competency hearing in scalding water death: Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009; An attorney for a woman arrested Tuesday for allegedly killing another woman by scalding her with a pot of boiling water told a court today his client suffers from mental disorders and requested a competency hearing.
Revenue shortfall may force NLV to cut budget again: Action could include cutting programs and services, renegotiating concessions with unions and reviewing city fees; Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009; North Las Vegas may need to cut another $7 million from its budget before next summer because tax revenue and growth-related fees continue to come in below expectations.
Losing bidder drops lawsuit over $11.1 million park contract: Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009; Wiser Construction, which finished second in bidding for the development of Craig Ranch Regional Park in North Las Vegas, has dropped its protest in court. The company sued North Las Vegas claiming the city council wrongly awarded the $11.1 million contract to Hardy Construction.
Jurors avoid death penalty, sentence men to life without parole: Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009; A jury on Tuesday spared two men from the death penalty and sentenced them to life in prison without parole for killing a man with a pipe bomb.
Jurors weigh death penalty in Luxor pipe bomb case: Monday, Aug. 31, 2009; Two men convicted of killing a man with a pipe bomb pleaded with jurors on Monday to show them mercy and spare their lives, which are in the hands of 12 jurors who will decide if they will die by the state or spend what likely would be the rest of their lives in prison.
Man gets four years for 100 mph chase on U.S. 95: Monday, Aug. 31, 2009; Kalani Ahquin was sentenced today to four years in prison for leading police in a high-speed pursuit in a stolen car that ended with his arrest at the buffet at the Railroad Pass Casino. Ahquin, 34, pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted stop required on signal of police officer and attempted battery with use of a deadly weapon for trying to ram a police car. He will be eligible for parole after one year. Prosecutor Hagar Trippiedi said Ahquin is an admitted methamphetamine addict. He told officers that he had been “slamming speed” prior to the chase.
Ensign gives keynote as program teaches teens life's lessons: Monday, Aug. 31, 2009; Some of Oriana Ellis’ classmates at Durango High couldn’t look her in the eye when they returned to school. While many teens spent the summer playing video games, eating junk food and hanging out with friends, the 17-year-old Ellis was training with U.S. Marines and her fellow Devil Pups at the Camp Pendleton Marine base in southern California.
Northwest valley house fire does $100,000 in damage: Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009; A fire burned through the attic of a house Sunday afternoon in the northwest Las Vegas Valley, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage. Officials have ruled the fire at 8712 Grazing Hill Court accidental while the investigation into the cause continues.
Judge to consider moving Krolicki trial out of Vegas: Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009; A Clark County District Court judge said today that she would consider a request to move the trial of Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki to northern Nevada and set a trial date of Oct. 12.