Russel T. Winterton, aka God Reginald R. Lewis Christopher Hulderson Advertisement

Burglary suspect caught

Christopher Hulderson, 19, of Pahrump was arrested on 15 counts related to possession and transfer of stolen property, plus one count of conspiracy to commit a crime, thus closing several burglary cases Nye County Sheriff's deputies have been investigating over the last few weeks.

Hulderson was booked into the Pahrump jail Jan. 20, on bail of $85,000.

Allegedly, Hulderson committed numerous burglaries and had been distributing stolen property to local pawn shops and individuals. After executing a search warrant, deputies also found what they believe to be stolen property at his home.

According to the sheriff's office, additional charges are anticipated against other individuals after a second search warrant was executed at another residence where Hulderson's alleged co-conspirator lives, and where more stolen property was recovered. The investigation goes on.

Palmer charged with theft

Nicholas Palmer, 24, of Pahrump was taken to the Pahrump jail Jan. 13, charged with burglary, possession of stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a dangerous weapon and grand larceny. His bail was set at $53,132.

The victim, Debra Brooks, reported numerous items, including a firearm, were stolen from her Jan. 3. Ten days later, deputies along with the narcotic unit served a search warrant and found Palmer in possession of the magazine belonging to the stolen gun.

Other property of Brooks was also recovered and it was discovered some items had been pawned.

Drug paraphernalia was also found at the home.

McCoy gets boot camp

Anthony J. McCoy, who had been in custody for more than a month for violating his probation, was brought before Judge John Davis on Jan. 13.

His public defender, Jason Ernest, indicated to Davis it was mostly a series of misunderstandings that got McCoy in trouble, saying it was unfortunate he "couldn't argue stupidity" for his client as a legal defense.

McCoy was found in possession of a BB gun and a machete, and during his interview with Nye County sheriff's deputies he admitted smoking marijuana.

Under such circumstances the judge could have rescinded McCoy's probation and put him in jail to serve his original sentence. However, Ernest explained that McCoy did not realize a BB gun could be construed as a weapon -- although he assured Davis the young man was now thoroughly aware that it was.

Ernest also told the judge that the machete belonged to McCoy's grandmother, who was present in court along with McCoy's mother.

"Grandma is an advanced gardener," said Ernest, explaining the machete was one of her garden tools.

Reportedly, the reason McCoy told deputies about the marijuana is because he was with a group of friends who were smoking and he thought he might have inhaled secondhand smoke. He was afraid it would show up if he was tested, although his actual drug test was negative.

"He knows he can't be around friends doing drugs and he knows his grandma's machete has to stay in her shed," said Ernest, requesting Davis reinstate McCoy's probation.

However, Davis had another option for McCoy.

"What would be best for him is to go to boot camp," said Davis. "He is not going to make it. If I don't send him to boot camp, he is going to fail."

Nye County's boot camp is a strenuous program with strict requirements to qualify. Upon graduation, prisoners' sentences are honorably discharged.

"He has probably got some backbone," said Davis, and sentenced McCoy to boot camp.

Second chance for Donnelly

On Jan. 13, Elizabeth Donnelly, a mother of six, showed such remorse she could barely speak as she stood before Davis in Pahrump's District Court for sentencing.

Tears streamed down her face as she told Davis, "My kids are more important to me than drugs."

Her attorney, Jason Ernest, explained to the judge that as an officer of the drug court, he knew Donnelly had been "a shining example" to others in the program, "and then comes the holidays and she falls out of the tree. Two of her children were taken away yesterday, said Ernest. He added, "Her relapse happened after nine months of being clean."

Davis could have sentenced Donnelly to jail; instead, he granted her probation for five years. She does not have to enter the drug court program again, but one slip will put her in jail to serve her sentence of 12 to 32 months.

Taber gets a chance

Robert Francis Taber III appeared before Judge John Davis for sentencing in a case involving methamphetamine, on Jan. 13. His lawyer, Jason Ernest, asked Davis to put Taber in a diversion program, rather than give him jail time.

"He's a good candidate for it," said Ernest. "He has been sober since Sept. 2008. He has done it cold turkey."

Although the defendant had no prior drug convictions, the judge was skeptical, saying Taber was found with scales and other paraphernalia. "It's not a simple use of drugs."

Taber took his opportunity to talk directly to the judge, saying, "I met a good girl and she's my hero. She's totally kept me clean. I have no problem with drugs at all. I'm off drugs.

"It's monumental, judge," continued Taber. "I have a nice house. I am living with my grandmother. Life is good.

"Please give me a chance to show everybody at the state. I am not messing around with any of this. You will see that I won't mess up one time. I can do this. I promise."

Chief Deputy District Attorney Kirk Vitto agreed Taber would be a good candidate for a diversion program, saying, "I believe Mr. Taber is a good person. Our call here is to help him make it in life."

Davis agreed not to give Tabor jail time, sentencing the young man to complete a diversion program to assure he stays off drugs.

Fake 'marshal' apprehended

A local man was arrested Jan. 16 for impersonating an officer. The incident ocurred at the same convenience store where Valentyna Kram was shot and killed Dec. 28.

Reginald Renard Lewis entered the DC Travel Center convenience store at the corner of Mesquite Avenue and Highway 160 and identified himself to several clerks as a "state marshal."

According to a report from the Nye County Sheriff's Office, Lewis showed the store's employees a badge and told them he would protect them from murder suspect Jaime Albarran, who is alleged to have murdered Kram. Albarran is the subject of a nationwide search and is believed to be armed and extremely dangerous.

Reportedly, Lewis obtained "specific facts and information relating to the murder from the clerks."

During his arrest, the badge and identification Lewis used at the store were located and the badge turned out to be an old bounty hunter badge that read "Fugitive Recovery Agent" and looks similar to a U.S. marshal's badge.

Lewis, 63, was arrested and booked into the Nye County Detention Center on bail of $2,500. He was released after posting bail.

Lewis' photo and pictures of an actual U.S. marshal's badge and the badge used by Lewis to gain information at the convenience store was mistakenly printed on page one of the Jan. 21 edition. We regret the error.

Winterton claims he's God

As reported in the Jan. 21 edition, Russel Troy Winterton was arrested for robbery, impersonating an officer and resisting arrest. Winterton told deputies, "I am God and God can do anything. His photograph was omitted from the story in error.