Man gets year in jail for domestic violence

A 39-year-old Gardnerville man was sentenced to a year in Douglas County Jail after he pleaded guilty to domestic battery and assault.

Timothy John McCollister originally denied the allegations and was set for trial last Thursday in East Fork Justice Court.

At the beginning of the proceeding, he changed his plea and admitted two counts of a four-count charge.

The other two charges were dismissed.

Court documents indicated McCollister served three years in prison in California for attempted homicide of an ex-girlfriend, but he denied serving time.

McCollister was arrested March 14 and had been held in Douglas County Jail on $25,000 bail.

The 30-year-old victim said McCollister struck her, choked her and threatened her with a flathead screwdriver he placed against her neck.

He also was accused of telling her he would purchase a firearm and "take care of business," or words to the effect he would harm or kill her.

East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl ordered McCollister to attend anger management classes for one year after he is released from jail.

He told EnEarl he lost his temper and may have hit the victim in the head. He said he didn't remember having a screwdriver.

n A 64-year-old Minden man convicted of driving under the influence three times within four months was sentenced Monday to 30 months in Nevada State Prison.

District Judge Michael Gibbons told Michael Austin he must serve 12 months before he is eligible for parole. State law mandates prison for the third DUI conviction within seven years.

Records indicate Austin was convicted Oct. 31, 2005, in Placer County, Calif., Nov, 1, 2005, in Yolo County, Calif., and Feb. 27 in Douglas County.

He was arrested Jan. 27 after someone observed him staggering around the Wal-Mart parking lot looking for his vehicle.

His blood-alcohol content was .23, nearly three times the legal limit of .08 for driving in Nevada.

"I can only say this situation presented me with an opportunity to move forward," Austin said. "My wife and I were pleased to use this time to move into a new life for ourselves."

Gibbons told Austin he had "an incredibly positive attitude."

"The main thing to learn is not to drink ever again," Gibbons said. "Stay away from alcohol."

"That's the way I see it," Austin said.

n The son of a Douglas County sheriff's lieutenant was sentenced Tuesday to a year in jail for attempted grand theft, a gross misdemeanor.

Kacy J. Logan, 18, admitted taking a badge, two bullet-roof vests and a police radio from the home of his father, Lt. Keith Logan. The items were recovered.

Logan's attorney, Terri Roeser, encouraged District Judge Dave Gamble to sentence Logan to a year in Douglas County Jail as recommended, while he pursued an opportunity to live with an uncle in Arizona after his release.

She said her client believed he had "burned his bridges" with family members and had nowhere to go.

"I realize how much I put the community in danger," Logan said. "If I'd done what some of my friends asked, somebody could have been dead. That would be my fault. I would have to live with that the rest of my life."

Gamble told Logan that based on a letter to the court from his father, he didn't believe the young man had been spurned by his family.

"I see continuing love and concern for you," Gamble said. "All you have to do to regain their trust is stay steady and do what you know you have to do.

"It's a matter of living within boundaries. You need to go downstairs, do your time and start over."

Logan was given credit for 135 days served.