Warrant issued for Carson City man who skips court

An arrest warrant was issued Monday for Duke Maita, 35, of Carson City, who failed to show up for sentencing for the second week in a row.

"I can't present to the court any excuse for him not being here today," said his lawyer, James Boles.

District Judge Michael Gibbons said a woman who identified herself as Maita's mother contacted his office for the status of Maita's case.

Probation officers found Maita's house arrest detection bracelet at his home and considered him an absconder.

He also is facing charges in Carson City.

Maita was arrested Feb. 22, 2005, for taking items worth $769 from Wal-Mart.

He pleaded guilty to grand larceny and was referred to Western Regional Drug Court. He was dropped from that program for failure to appear and was to return to District Court for sentencing.

He faces up to 10 years in prison.

Gibbons ordered the forfeiture of Maita's $20,000 bond and issued a warrant that he be held without bail.

"It's too bad," Gibbons said. "Mr. Maita may not have gone to prison but now he has put himself in a corner."

n A South Lake Tahoe resident caught on videotape helping himself to more than $1,500 from a restaurant where he was assistant manager pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy to commit theft.

Cyrus Joseph Cahill, 36, claimed that Fatburger restaurant at Harrah's casino owed him back pay and he had permission to take the money last December.

But the general manager denied Cahill's claim and the defendant pleaded guilty to the gross misdemeanor to avoid prosecution on a more serious offense.

District Judge Michael Gibbons set sentencing for July 10.

Cahill faces up to one year in Douglas County Jail and a $2,000 fine, plus restitution.

He is eligible for probation.