Stabbing case resolved with guilty plea

A Carson City man agreed to a 6-15 year prison sentence after he admitted Tuesday to a count of battery with a deadly weapon with substantial bodily harm.

Efrain Gonzalez Magana, 30, has been in custody either in the Douglas Jail or Lakes Crossing since his Nov. 14, 2022, arrest.

He admitted to repeatedly stabbing the victim in the torso with a knife.

The sentence is being recommended by both parties. Magana could also face a $10,000 fine.

The survivor will get to speak at the June 18 hearing.

Magana was scheduled for a trial until his attorney sought an evaluation last fall.

• A Gardnerville Ranchos man who strangled one woman and struck another was sentenced to 1-3 years in prison on Tuesday.

Logan Alexander Peetz, 20, said he was ready to pay the consequences for the Nov. 27, 2023, incident involving the two women.

“He’s been doing drugs half of his life,” attorney Martin Hart said. “He was extremely high that day.”

Peetz made clear to District Judge Tod Young that he didn’t think being under the influence was an excuse for his behavior.

Prosecutor Bethany Towne said the entire incident occurred when the woman said the wrong thing to Peetz.

The survivor asked Young to be lenient on Peetz.

“He’s not a bad kid when he’s not using drugs,” she said. “I forgive him.”

Domestic battery with strangulation carries a mandatory prison term of up to five years.

• A man who made it pretty clear he didn’t want to undergo a six-month treatment program was back Tuesday to self revoke.

Jessie James Avalos, 30, received 258 days time served on his 19-48-month which was imposed.

He was ordered back into Western Nevada Regional Drug Court as a condition of probation after his drug diversion was revoked last month. He admitted to having 3.4 grams of methamphetamine and was granted his original March 2022 sentence.

• A man who got so drunk on Christmas Eve he couldn’t remember where he was staying and started breaking into homes will have to wait until May 7 to be sentenced.

Prosecutor Jim Sibley pointed out that it was a miracle someone didn’t shoot him.

Shawn Christopher Watt, 42, has been in custody since Dec. 24, 2023, in connection with the break-ins.

He admitted to a felony count of home invasion in connection with the incident.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, though attorneys are recommending a cap of 2-5 years with 364 days in jail as a condition for probation.

The residents are seeking restitution for the damage done by Watt when he broke in. Those receipts are due in May.