prison

Suspect arrested on multiple charges after Douglas County Sheriff's deputy shot

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Two people have been arrested after a deputy from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) was shot late Sunday night.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officers announced 474 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. This includes the approximate 200 positive cases that needed to be assigned to a region. Of those, 100 are in El Dorado Hills, 75 in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, 78 in Greater Placerville, 14 in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, 21 in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, 29 in North County, 2 in South County, 93 in Lake Tahoe region. There are 62 of the new cases awaiting address confirmation, and the pending address confirmation count is now 74.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Last Week's Log: http://southtahoenow.com/story/11/29/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

This Week's Log:

11/29

Batten sentenced 26 years to life for his part in South Lake Tahoe murder

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - He was the star running back of Benicia High School before graduating in 2015. He led the Panthers with 901 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns his senior year and was named their Most Valuable Offensive Player.

Less than one year later he was in South Lake Tahoe with a group of men accused of fatally shooting Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. over a drug deal at the Beverly Lodge.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Last Week's Log - http://southtahoenow.com/story/08/30/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

This Week's Log:

8/30

Veterinarian residing in Truckee pleads guilty to tax evasion

A world-renown veterinarian living in Truckee leaded guilty today to one count of tax evasion.

Jack Ray Snyder, 63, was indicted in 2018 after it was alleged he failed to report significant income and filed false tax returns between 2012 and 2014. Besides the income discrepancy, Snyder was charged with deducting non-deductible personal expenses and overreporting his property taxes.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Last Week's Log - http://southtahoenow.com/story/08/10/2020/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-report

8/9

1:05 a.m. - Vacation Home Rental - Lindewnwood Dr - VHR NOISE

South Lake Tahoe man sentenced to 26 years in prison for multiple counts of child molestation

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A South Lake Tahoe man who was found guilty on four counts of felony child molestation has been sentenced to 26 years in state prison.

A jury found John Robert Garcia, 45, guilty back in December 2019 and he was scheduled to be sentenced in April. Due to social distancing requirements and COVID-19, that was held off until June 26. Judge Dylan Sullivan conducted the sentencing utilizing remote video conferencing.

Filing period opens July 13 for South Lake Tahoe elected positions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Election Day in 2020 is on November 3, just 134 days away. There will be several elected positions opening up in South Lake Tahoe and Meyers: South Tahoe Public Utility District, South Lake Tahoe City Council, Lake Tahoe Unified School District Board of Trustees, Lake Tahoe Community College Board of Trustees, and the Lake Valley Fire Board of Directors.

South Lake Tahoe ski instructor and coach indicted on child pornography charges

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe man arrested in April on child pornography charges was indicted today by a federal grand jury.

Timothy Daniel Mackey, 39, was arrested at his home after a search warrant served on April 15, 2020. Since that time he has been in jail. If convicted, Mackey faces 5-20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

100 Miles for Tahoe Virtual Challenge - Run, walk, bike during the month of June

The Tahoe Mountain Milers Running Club (TMMRC) is inviting the public to lace up your shoes and run/walk/hike during the month of June for the 100 Miles for Tahoe Virtual Challenge, a fundraiser benefiting the Tahoe Rim Trail Association.

Each year, TMMRC contributes part of the proceeds from races like Escape from Prison Hill to the TRTA, but these race, like so many others, are canceled for the time being. Still, running isn't canceled, and neither is the need for stewardship and maintenance of the Tahoe Rim Trail.

El Dorado County recommended budget $87M less that previous year

On Friday May 29, 2019, El Dorado Chief Administrative Officer Don Ashton
released his Fiscal Year 2020-21 Recommended Budget to the Board of Supervisors. The total recommended budget is approximately $647.7 million, which is $87.3 million less than the Fiscal Year 2019-20 budget, a copy of which can be accessed here.

Reno man arrested after allegedly stealing hundreds of surgical masks from VA Hospital

RENO, Nev. – Peter Lucas, 35, of Reno, was arrested yesterday and appeared in court today for allegedly stealing hundreds of surgical masks from a supply cart at the Ioannis A. Lougaris VA Medical Center (VA Medical Center) in Reno.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Calls Added to Last Week's Report:

3/14

South Lake Tahoe Police Chief Brian Uhler says goodbye; March retirement date set

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In just two weeks the City of South Lake Tahoe will be saying goodbye to its sixth police chief since becoming incorporated in 1965.

Chief Brian Uhler will be wrapping up a 40-year career in law enforcement when he retires from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) on March 12, 2020. He has been the second-longest serving chief, coming within a couple of months of the City's second police chief, John Crow.

Solano County man found guilty of murder and robbery by South Lake Tahoe jury

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A jury of seven men and five women took just 80 minutes on Tuesday to find Dion Jermaine Vacarro guilty of murdering Dennis "Spike" Wright, Jr. in South Lake Tahoe on January 30, 2016.

DNA proves innocence of man convicted of El Dorado County murder

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - A man who was facing life in prison after being convicted in 2005 for a murder that authorities now know he did not commit, is now heading home a free man. Ricky Leo Davis, now 54, was 20-years-old when a friend of his mother, 54-year-old Jane Hylton, was brutally murdered in their El Dorado Hills home in 1985.

On July 7, 1985, Davis and his 19-year-old live-in girlfriend, Connie Dahl, called law enforcement, saying they were at a party in Cameron Park and returned home to find Hylton murdered.

Surprise during South Lake Tahoe murder trial

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - In a surprise move on Thursday during the murder trial of Dion Jermaine Vacarro in South Lake Tahoe, the man who had previously pleaded guilty in the same case in exchange for a lighter sentence changed his mind.

El Dorado County man pleads guilty to distributing designer drug that caused minor's death

Over seven years after the death of a juvenile, the person found responsible plead guilty Monday in federal court to distribution of a controlled substance known as 25I-NBOMe that caused death the death of the minor in 2012.

According to court documents, during September 2012, Elijah Richter, 28, of Camino, Calif. imported hallucinogenic drugs, including a controlled substance known as 25I-NBOMe, from Europe to his residence in El Dorado County. He placed orders on his computer through Silk Road, a now-defunct “dark” website.

Six indicted for falsely claiming benefits for properties destroyed in Paradise Camp Fire

On Thursday, Dec. 12, a federal jury returned indictments against six defendants who made false claims for benefits in connection with the 2018 Camp Fire and received funds from FEMA to compensate for their losses, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

South Lake Tahoe Veterans Day: Because of you......

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - It was one of the largest crowds ever gathered at the American Legion to celebrate and honor local veterans. Part of that crowd were two 99-year-old veterans and a 2000 STHS graduate who will soon be a commander in the US Navy, veterans of other wars, family, first responders and community members.

Grand Jury indicts four men at forefront of marijuana grows linked to El Dorado County deputy's killing

As soon as word spread that El Dorado County Deputy Brian Ishmael was shot and killed in the line of duty on October 23, multiple federal agencies were mobilized and went to work to not only find out who was directly responsible for the death, but also to uncover those in charge of the illegal marijuana grows at the forefront of the case.

Birthday celebration in South Lake Tahoe for 99-year-old Martin Hollay

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - From his birthplace in Hungary in 1920 to the slopes of Heavenly Mountain Resort, Martin Hollay has been both an inspiration and a legend. On Friday, November 1, Hollay turns 99 and there will be a party in his honor in South Lake Tahoe.

Join the festivities at Himmel Haus at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to come by and say "Happy Birthday."

The Pillowman opens in the LTCC Duke Theatre October 24

Event Date: 
Repeats every day until Sun Nov 03 2019 .
October 24, 2019 - 7:30pm
October 25, 2019 - 7:30pm
October 26, 2019 - 7:30pm
October 27, 2019 - 7:30pm
October 28, 2019 - 7:30pm
October 29, 2019 - 7:30pm
October 30, 2019 - 7:30pm
October 31, 2019 - 7:30pm
November 1, 2019 - 7:30pm
November 2, 2019 - 7:30pm
November 3, 2019 - 7:30pm

Black Ice Theatre Co. presents The Pillowman, the winner of two Tony Awards and the Olivier Award for Best Play. It was written by Martin McDonagh, the acclaimed author of In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.

The play will be performed on the Duke Theatre stage on the campus of Lake Tahoe Community College on October 24, 25, 26, 27, 31, November 1, 2, 3. All shows 7:30 p.m. except November 3 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20 and can be purchased here: https://thepillowman.brownpapertickets.com. (Show contains coarse language and adult content)

South Lake Tahoe bank robber faces long prison term after pleading guilty to 19 robberies

An Oakland, California man pleaded guilty to being a serial bank robber who committed 19 heists across the Bay Area and Northern California, including South Lake Tahoe, between March 2018 and February 2019.

Duane Kurt Makela, 50, pleaded guilty in federal court in San Francisco Thursday to ten armed bank robberies, seven unarmed bank robberies, and two attempted bank robberies.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Those added to last week's report:

9/21

2:28 p.m. - Coroner's Case - South Lake Tahoe - 45-YEAR-OLD MALE DECEASED.

2:28 p.m. - Information Case - Gardner St

This week's report:

South Lake Tahoe Juvenile Treatment Center youth embrace horses

It was a beautiful September day in South Lake Tahoe, as students, who have encountered challenges and temporarily reside at the South Lake Tahoe Juvenile Treatment Center (SLTJTC), received an extraordinary experience from dedicated volunteers and the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild Horse and Burro Program. The El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) administers SLTJTC’s academic program and partnered with El Dorado County Probation to provide this day of learning to teach students about the animals, potential careers and social skills.

Guest Speakers and Mo'z Motley Blues at Dangberg Historic Park

Event Date: 
August 4, 2019 - 10:00am

The month of August begins with a presentation on “The Great State Embezzlement”, Mo’z Motley Blues in concert and a presentation on “The History of Baseball in Nevada” at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

On Sunday, August 4, at 10:00 am, Glen Whorton, President of the Nevada State Prison Preservation Society, returns to the park to speak on this year’s topic “The Great State Embezzlement”. This is a free event for all to attend.

Location

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
1450 Hwy 88, Minden, NV 89423
United States

Tri-County Job Fair to be held in August

Event Date: 
August 22, 2019 - 9:00am

The Tri-County Job Fair is an annual event that serves the workforce needs of El Dorado, Sacramento and Placer counties, and connects job seekers with both small and large businesses from multiple industries that are actively recruiting employees.

This year it will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at @the Grounds (formerly known as the Placer County Fairgrounds) located at 800 All American City Boulevard in Roseville.

South Lake Tahoe man indicted on federal firearms and narcotics charges

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The South Lake Tahoe man who led multiple law enforcement agencies on a high-speed pursuit in El Dorado County and Sacramento in May was indicted by a federal grand jury today on two counts.

Lake Tahoe Community College announces "Teachers of the Year"

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Lake Tahoe Community College Mathematics/Physics instructor Bruce Armbrust, American Sign Language instructor Karla Johnston, and Accounting/Business instructor Dr. Jon Kingsbury are all being honored for their outstanding work in the classroom and their dedication to LTCC’s students.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

6/19

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

6/12

Aryan Brotherhood prison gang drug and murder ring broken up with help of El Dorado County DA's Office

The El Dorado County (EDC) District Attorney's Office recently helped with a state-wide investigation focused on offenders operating a criminal enterprise from both inside and outside state prisons.

Sixteen members and associates of a prison-based gang have been charged after a long-running investigation into drug trafficking and murders inside and outside of California’s prisons.

The EDC DA office's investigative division has the kind of highly trained and experienced detectives that are often called in to help with operations of this magnitude.

ADA attorney indicted by federal grand jury

For more than a decade, attorney Scott Norris Johnson has made it his business to sue thousands of small business owners around Lake Tahoe and up and down the state over alleged violations of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).

Today he finds himself in hot water after a federal grand jury returned an indictment today against the Carmichael resident, charging him with three counts of making and subscribing a false tax return.

Police pursuit of South Lake Tahoe man caught on film in Sacramento

1:00 PM UPDATE: More information has been released in the arrest of Christopher Wadstein in Sacramento. Police found almost a pound of methamphetamine in the fire after his truck burst into flames.

Wadstein is a long time South Lake Tahoe resident with arrests dating back to his teenage years. Lt. Shannon Laney said their first file on him was in 2001. His previous convictions range from drugs and vandalism to kidnapping and weapons
charges. He is also believed to be a skinhead white supremacist prison gang member according to SLTPD.

June Events Launch Summer Festival at Dangberg Historic Park

Event Date: 
June 1, 2019 - 10:00am

Early June events launch the 2019 Summer Festival at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

On Saturday, June 1, at 10:00 am, Wendell Huffman, Curator of History at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, will speak on the history of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in Carson Valley, as well as the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad. This is a free event.

Location

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park
1450 Hwy 88, Minden, NV 89423
United States

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

5/8

1982 Mt. Rose murder solved through genetic genealogy

On July 17, 1982, the body of a woman was found off of a hiking trail in the Sheep's Flat area near Mt. Rose just a few miles above Incline Village, was found. There was no identification or jewelry on the victim and investigators could tell by her clothing she may have been headed to Lake Tahoe when she was murdered.

And there was no suspect.

For over three decades, both her and her killer's identity have been unknown but with new DNA technologies, hard work by a team of law enforcement investigators and genealogists, the case has been solved.

K9 Quatro retires from South Lake Tahoe Police Department

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - K9 officer Quatro retired from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) Thursday after serving on the force for 6.5 years.

During the department's annual awards ceremony, Quatro's service was recognized. He has assisted numerous other agencies, confiscated $50,000 in cash, intercepted an envelope with drugs headed to a prison inmate, and assisted his trainer Officer Matt Morrison numerous times while on duty.

Eight-year-old Quatro will continue living with the Morrison family but will no longer head to work at the lake.

Voices: Domestic Abuse and Human Trafficking Awareness

We all must come together as one if we would like to end domestic abuse and human trafficking. I applaud the brave women who have been coming forward, discussing their past and the traumas they have endured. One of the reasons that we read history books is so we can learn from others mistakes. If we would like to make an impacting change in this world, we must acknowledge the whole issue.

Pollock Pines man facing 43 years in prison after found guilty of murdering six-week-old baby

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - The man responsible for abusing a baby from the time he was eight days old and his death five weeks later is looking at spending the next 43 years in prison after being found guilty on March 21, 2019, in Judge Kenneth Melikian's courtroom.

Michael Swope, 32, was convicted of second-degree murder of baby Sammy as well as three counts of felony child abuse causing great bodily injury for breaking various ribs on the baby over infant's short and traumatic life.

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

3/13

El Dorado County Sheriff's Report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County Sheriff's Office responds to calls throughout the county. The following are calls that only pertain to the South and West Shore, including Meyers, South Lake Tahoe, Meeks Bay, Tahoma, and the Echo Summit area. There may be some missing calls due to sheriff's logs not being completed at the time of the story.

Some of those recently added to last week's log:

3/7

South Lake Tahoe man headed to prison for destruction of archaeological sites

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After illegally digging at prehistoric Native American archaeological sites on federal lands in Alpine and El Dorado counties, 50-year-old Timothy Brian Harrison of South Lake Tahoe was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison and ordered to pay $113,000 in restitution.

He was found guilty on two counts of excavation and removal of archaeological resources from public lands and one misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Column: SLTPD and EDSO saves woman's life with arrest

After a six-month investigation into drug transactions in the Lake Tahoe Basin, the El Dorado Sheriff's Department Narcotics Task Force executed search warrants at two locations in South Lake Tahoe on August 23, 2017. Large amounts of heroin, methamphetamine and approximately 12 firearms were seized in the search. Lynwood Towle, Shawn German, Melissa Griffis, Paul Ryan, and Krystal Long were all arrested, charged, and eventually pleaded guilty to various charges stemming from those searches.

Man who led officer and K9 on chase through snow sentenced to 4 years in prison

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. Dylan Matthew Pettigrew was recently sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of First Degree Burglary.

38 years after skull is found, Jane Doe has a name

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - On March 22, 1974, Nancy Webster, 37, and her daughter, 19-year-old Rebecca Dinkel were seen at a café in the Garden Valley area of El Dorado County.

They left the cafe shortly after Nancy received a threatening phone call from her abusive, common-law husband, Clifton Mahaney.

It was the last time anyone saw either one of them alive.

Change behind bars: Two South Lake Tahoe locals speak about their time in jail

Do you know what it is like to be caged like a wild animal? Do you know what it is like to scratch at the insides of a jail cell wall as you scream for your freedom? Do you know what it is like to have your nightmares as your only company?

I can’t say that I know what it’s like. I really can’t.

Drug trafficking pair nabbed in Carson City sentenced to total of 16 years in prison

Two drug traffickers were sentenced today to a total of 16 years in federal prison after a traffic stop in Carson City for speeding led to the discovery of large quantities of methamphetamine and heroin in their car.

Danny Lyle Jensen II, 39, and Kimberly Lopes, 37, both of Henderson, Nevada, were sentenced to 130 months and 63 months, respectively, and five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Howard D. McKibben. They previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute at least 500 grams of methamphetamine.

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