Jeff Pope

Story Archive

Jury deliberates in Luxor bombing trial: Two men could face death penalty if convicted; Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009; Jurors will resume deliberations Friday in the trial of two men accused of building and detonating a bomb that killed a man in the Luxor parking garage two years ago. Prosecutors contend that Omar Rueda-Denvers wanted revenge on his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend and helped his best friend Porfirio “Pilo” Duarte-Herrera build the pipe bomb that killed 24-year-old Willebaldo Dorantes Antonio on May 7, 2007.
Judge considers letting hepatitis trials go forward: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009; Federal Bankruptcy Court Judge Mike Nakagawa said Wednesday that he would consider a request to lift a stay against three beleaguered endoscopy centers to allow trials to move forward. Nakagawa said he would issue a written decision but did not give a timeline.
Teen might back out of murder plea in student's death: Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009; A teen who pleaded guilty to murdering Palo Verde High freshman Christopher Privett last year was confused about the plea and could still back out of an agreement that calls for 28 years to life in prison, his lawyer said.
Imprisoned white supremacist denied liver transplant: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009; A federal court judge today denied a request from an imprisoned white supremacist to receive a liver transplant.
Defense attorneys for Ronald "Joey" Sellers, the reputed leader of the Aryan Warriors prison gang, said the transplant was necessary to save his life.
Commission to review 215 Beltway bid again, minus two members: Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009; County commissioners will review bids for the northern 215 Beltway construction project -- a third time. But a federal court judge said Tuesday that commissioners Steve Sisolak and Tom Collins shouldn't participate in the discussions.
3 sentenced in NLV gang initiation beating death: Video of beating tied to Vicky’s Town gang was uploaded to YouTube; Monday, Aug. 24, 2009; Looking to become a member of the Vicky’s Town gang, Armando Castro allowed current gang members to punch and kick him for 13 seconds as an initiation rite called a “jump in.” One of those kicks landed on Castro’s head, causing him to lose consciousness and ultimately led to his death. The act was recorded and uploaded to YouTube. The video was pulled by the same poster after gang members learned the police were looking for them, Deputy District Attorney Sonia Jimenez said.
Jury rules in favor of NLV officers in police custody death: Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009; A federal court jury today found that North Las Vegas police officers did not use excessive force in subduing a man who would later die and issued a verdict that awards no damages to the family of Roberto Arce. The eight-member jury deliberated for almost six hours in U.S. District Court.
North Las Vegas Council approves manager’s performance in split vote: Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009; North Las Vegas City Manager Gregory Rose appears still to have a majority of support on the City Council. On Wednesday night, three of the five council members voted to approve Rose’s annual performance review. Mayor Pro Tem William Robinson and Councilman Robert Eliason cast the dissenting votes and are the same two that have criticized him and voted against his contract amendments and extensions for the past two years.
North Las Vegas city attorney resigns: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009; North Las Vegas City Attorney Carie Torrence announced Wednesday that she would resign her post as of Sept. 3.
Jury deliberates case of man who died in police custody: Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009; Jurors began deliberating today in a civil suit brought by the family of a man who died in custody of North Las Vegas police in 2002.
County union pitches cost savings to avoid layoffs: Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009; The union representing county employees today made another pitch to county commissioners on how they could move around money and avoid layoffs. This time they came armed with the results of several focus groups.
County grants temporary license to Prive: Commission scheduled to review license again on Sept. 1; Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009; County Commissioners allowed embattled nightclubs Prive and The Living Room to receive 30-day temporary liquor licenses and reopen as soon as they are ready. The clubs, located in Planet Hollywood, closed after the Clark County Business and License Department revoked their liquor licenses last month. The Gaming Control Board fined the resort $500,000 for allowing illegal activities to occur at Prive.
Teen chisels through red tape for shaved ice business: 18-year-old Jeff Brunner hopes money from cart will pay for college; Monday, Aug. 17, 2009; Jeff Brunner always wanted to be a fighter pilot. Fascinated by flight simulator games and the roar of jets, he knew that he belonged among the clouds.
NLV Police join in school supply drive for kids: Monday, Aug. 17, 2009; About 1,200 children in North Las Vegas gearing up for the start of school will have fresh supplies because of the North Las Vegas Police Department and The Village Church.
Family: Police action during arrest contributed to death: Officers say man high on cocaine charged at them during domestic incident; Monday, Aug. 10, 2009; The brother of Roberto Arce was on the floor of the federal courtroom Monday re-enacting how North Las Vegas police officers had his brother in their custody -- to the best of the memory of Arce’s widow, Joana.
NLV accepting proposals for mixed-use development: Friday, Aug. 7, 2009; North Las Vegas officials want a high-density project to redevelop an older area of the city known as the island and will let developers decide what will work through a public-private partnership.
Work on NLV park progresses to chagrin of second-lowest bidder: Construction company whose bid was $570,000 higher has challenged the contract in court; Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009; North Las Vegas leaders have moved forward with building the city’s first regional park even though the project could be tied up in court. The City Council on Wednesday voted to reinvest savings from construction costs to future phases of Craig Ranch Regional Park.
Mother who police say provided booze for teen party sentenced: Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009; A Henderson mother accused of providing alcohol to teens pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor as part of a deal with prosecutors.
Judge halts work on 215 Beltway project: Project could be further delayed at hearing later this month; Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009; A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order today against the county and its contractor for the northern 215 Beltway paving project. U.S. District Judge Robert Jones ordered that no money exchange hands and said no construction can begin for at least two weeks. Jones set an evidentiary hearing for Aug. 24, at which time he could issue an injunction, which would again delay construction of converting the existing roadway into a four-lane highway from Tenaya Way to Decatur Boulevard.
10 more settlements OK'd in Kitec plumbing suit: Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009; A judge approved 10 additional settlements on Monday in a multimillion-dollar class action lawsuit regarding faulty plumbing in homes throughout the valley. District Court Judge Timothy Williams said the settlements were fair and adequate and will be added to previous settlements that will cover the cost of replumbing homes at no cost to owners.
Commissioners want to beef up Park Police: Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009; County Commissioners said today that they would try to find ways to enhance the Park Police division, which has seen a rise in violent crimes in county green spaces. The 18-member division of the Parks and Recreation Department patrols more than 1,600 acres in 180 parks. Commissioners said they would find ways to improve the safety of residents in the parks however possible but that budget constraints make it difficult to act quickly. With layoffs looming in other departments, it’s not possible to hire more officers at this time, Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani said.
Judge delays decision on change of venue request in Krolicki case: Monday, Aug. 3, 2009; A decision on a change of venue request in the state’s prosecution of Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki and a co-defendant was delayed Monday to give a judge time to review arguments.
Schneider to pay Tarkanian $150,000 to settle lawsuit: Monday, Aug. 3, 2009; State Sen. Mike Schneider today agreed to pay $150,000 in damages to settle a defamation lawsuit brought by his 2004 election challenger, Danny Tarkanian. Jurors were scheduled to hear Schneider, a real estate consultant, testify today as to his finances then decide on punitive damages. The deal was reached prior to the hearing. Tarkanian’s attorney, Gus Flangas, said the verdict also disproves the allegations of criminal behavior Schneider raised in televised debates and in campaign fliers.
Smell of smoke forces plane to land at McCarran: Delta Air Lines plane checked out and put back into service this afternoon; Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009; A plane that made an emergency landing at McCarran International Airport today has been cleared to return to service, an airline spokesman said.
Escaped tiger roams neighborhood before being captured: Thursday, July 30, 2009; A tiger got loose from its cage in a northwest Las Vegas neighborhood Thursday night but was captured without incident, police said. The tiger belonged to the Fernando Brothers magic act and was recovered by the owners shortly after it escaped about 9 p.m., Metro Police Lt. Les Lane said.
Two men get life sentences for murder of 62-year-old vacationer: Thursday, July 30, 2009; Two men were given two consecutive life sentences for a murder in what authorities have called a purse snatching gone wrong. Judge James Brennan sentenced Adrian McKnight and Michael Smith in Clark County District Court on Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the beating death of 62-year-old Angel Nieva.
Tarkanian testifies he was target of false campaign ads: Wednesday, July 29, 2009; Danny Tarkanian said he expected his opponent in the 2004 state Senate race, Mike Schneider, would use campaign rhetoric and spin the facts. “What I never expected was for my opponent to call me a criminal and say I was knowingly involved in criminal activity,” Tarkanian said.
Man enters guilty plea in child sex assault case: Richard Dean Stephen faces up to 40 years in prison; Wednesday, July 29, 2009; A 63-year-old North Las Vegas man pleaded guilty today to having sexual contact with a 5-year-old girl. Richard Dean Stephen faces up to 40 years in prison on two felony charges of attempted lewdness with a minor.
Judge denies DA’s request for death sentence: Wednesday, July 29, 2009; After already receiving one death sentence for murder, Eugene Nunnery was spared a second death sentence today on a separate murder conviction. District Court Judge Elissa Cadish sentenced the 29-year-old Nunnery to life in prison without the possibility of parole despite an in-person plea from District Attorney David Roger for a second death sentence.
Man pleads no contest in voluntary manslaughter case: Tuesday, July 28, 2009; A man whose attorneys were fighting a voluntary manslaughter charge on grounds of self-defense pleaded no contest on Tuesday and will have the charge reduced to a misdemeanor if he successfully completes a probationary sentence. James Peters, 61, pleaded in the May 1 stabbing death of 24-year-old Thomas Minton, who was killed after the two inebriated men scuffled in Peters’ apartment, officials said.
Testimony begins in defamation case over state Senate race: Tuesday, July 28, 2009; State Sen. Mike Schneider took the stand in his own defense today during the first day of testimony in a civil lawsuit filed by Danny Tarkanian, his opponent in the 2004 Senate campaign. Tarkanian filed the defamation lawsuit in March 2005, claiming Schneider committed libel in campaign fliers and slander in a television interview and to voters in person.
Businessman to settle $250,000 Vegas gambling debt: Businessman to settle $250,000 gambling debt; Thursday, July 23, 2009; A California businessman has agreed to settle his gambling debts in Las Vegas. Kirk Vartanian, 40, appeared in Las Vegas Justice Court this morning on two charges of theft and two charges of passing bad checks. Prosecutors allege that in 2007, he passed 16 bad checks for gaming markers at two Las Vegas casinos totaling $250,000.
ACORN, ACLU suit could have Nevada implications: Pennsylvania case also involved alleged quota system; Wednesday, July 22, 2009; The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit today in Pennsylvania that could affect a criminal case in Nevada.
Trial date pushed back in faulty plumbing case: More homebuilders could be added to class action Kitec plumbing suit; Wednesday, July 22, 2009; Attorneys are rushing to beat the clock in a five-year-old class action lawsuit regarding defective plumbing that could affect 30,000 homes in the valley. State law requires that cases be brought to trial within five years of filing.
County reaffirms vote, rejects lowest bid for road project: Beltway bid awarded to Las Vegas Paving after concerns about lowest bidder; Tuesday, July 21, 2009; Construction on widening 2 1/2 miles of the 215 Beltway was supposed to have started last month. Instead, the project is going to court. Commissioners voted 5-2 Tuesday to award the project to Las Vegas Paving -- the second-lowest bidder.
Ex-NBA star appears in Vegas court in debt case: Monday, July 20, 2009; Former NBA all-star Antoine Walker appeared in Las Vegas Justice Court today for a hearing on charges that he allegedly has failed to pay back $822,500 in gambling debts to three casinos.
Two critically injured in south valley crash: Sunday, July 19, 2009; Two people are in critical condition after the car they were in collided with a sport utility vehicle Sunday afternoon. Metro Police said the 1993 Toyota Corolla was headed west on Serene Avenue and failed to stop at the intersection with Bermuda Road.
Crash injures man near Sam Boyd Stadium: Sunday, July 19, 2009; Three people were injured when two vehicles collided Sunday afternoon near Sam Boyd Stadium.
Dust closes road near Boulder City: Sunday, July 19, 2009; Boulder City police have closed U.S. 95 between Railroad Pass and State Route 165 because dust from the dry lake bed has reduced visibility.
Despite protest, NLV Council awards $11.1 million park contract: Wednesday, July 15, 2009; The North Las Vegas City Council awarded an $11.1 million contract to build Craig Ranch Regional Park to Hardy Construction on Wednesday over a protest from another bidder. Wiser Construction submitted the second-lowest bid, which was $570,000 more than Hardy’s. Wiser filed a protest on June 3 claiming Hardy lacked the proper contractor’s license to construct a park.
NLV Council appoints replacement for Ward 4 seat: Wednesday, July 15, 2009; Good things come to those who wait, and the waiting paid off for Richard Cherchio. After failing to win the 2007 election for the Ward 4 seat on the North Las Vegas City Council, Cherchio was appointed to the position tonight. The council members spent nearly an hour trying to decide how they were going to appoint someone to the fifth and final council seat.
North Las Vegas offers foreclosure prevention workshop: Wednesday, July 15, 2009; Las Vegas Valley homeowners struggling to remain in their homes can find free assistance at a foreclosure prevention workshop.
Court hearing set over voter registration allegations: Wednesday, July 15, 2009; An organization that registered voters for the presidential election and two of its former employees will have a preliminary hearing Sept. 29 to determine if there is enough evidence to move forward with allegations that it illegally compensated canvassers.
Attorney cites church leader's health problems in child sex case: DA drops lewdness charge filed while Catello was in custody; Wednesday, July 15, 2009; A 76-year-old man who claims to be a prophet and faces multiple counts of sexual assault on minors was scheduled to have bypass surgery Tuesday, his attorney said this morning. Attorney Mace Yampolsky said today that his client, Benito Catello, remains in custody at a local hospital with guards by his bed. Yampolsky would not say which hospital Catello was to have surgery at but said he had been using an oxygen tank and pain mediation. The District Attorney's Office dropped an additional open and gross lewdness charge that had been filed while he was in custody.
NY-NY gunman found guilty on 51 of 52 charges: Monday, July 13, 2009; A jury convicted Steven Zegrean on 51 of 52 charges Monday evening in the July 6, 2007, shooting inside the New York-New York hotel-casino. Jurors deliberated for more than fours hours, ultimately finding him guilty on all but one charge of attempted murder with a deadly weapon.
Family accepts NBA award for Metro officer killed in crash: James Manor honored for service to West Las Vegas community; Sunday, July 12, 2009; Metro Police Officer James Manor is well known because of how he died. But on Sunday, the NBA Summer League honored Manor for how he lived. His 30-year-old brother, Anthony Manor, accepted the NBA's Heroes Among Us award on his behalf before a summer league game at the Cox Pavilion. James Manor's 10 siblings, mother, fiancee and 8-year-old daughter also attended the ceremony.
Man missing since Saturday found unharmed: Sunday, July 12, 2009; Police say they’ve found a 21-year-old man who has been missing since Saturday.
Psychologist says accused NY-NY gunman angry, depressed: Suspect also had handwritten note that said, 'Thank you if you shoot me,' officer testifies; Friday, July 10, 2009; A psychologist said Friday that Steven Zegrean was suffering from a major depressive disorder when he opened fire in the New York-New York casino in the early morning of July 6, 2007.
Jurors hear 911 tapes in NY-NY casino shooting: Maryland police officers on vacation in Vegas offer accounts of shooting; Thursday, July 9, 2009; Jurors on Thursday heard 911 tapes of people calling from inside the New York-New York casino on July 6, 2007, reporting gunfire.
Trial delayed for alleged gunman in 'Pacman' case: Thursday, July 9, 2009; The trial of a man charged with paralyzing a Las Vegas strip club bouncer after a fight allegedly involving NFL player Adam "Pacman" Jones and members of Jones' entourage broke out outside the club has been delayed until next year.