Charge dismissed in firearm case

Charges were dismissed against a former Dayton man accused of possessing a firearm while intoxicated.

A motion was filed May 8 to dismiss the charge against Anthony Melendrez, 26, now of Las Vegas.

Melendrez was charged after he shot himself in the leg on March 14 with a .45-caliber handgun outside a residence in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

According to court reports, Melendrez had an alcohol level of .128, but he claimed he never submitted to a breath or blood test.

Melendrez said he was in his car unloading the weapon when it accidentally discharged.

He spent two days in Douglas County Jail after he turned himself in.

"I'd rather just get this behind me," Melendrez said Tuesday.

He claimed he quit drinking in January.

Melendrez said the injury "has completely healed up. I have a little tingling in the foot."

n A former employee of Carson Valley Veterinary Hospital is headed for drug court after she admitted forging prescriptions for hydrocodone for her sister's dog Buster that she consumed.

Amy Lee Carter, 42, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of obtaining prescription drugs by fraud. She is to appear Monday in District Court where her attorney, Tod Young, said she would request Western Regional Drug Court.

According to court documents, Carter submitted dozens of forged prescriptions to local pharmacies between Oct. 2, 2007, and May 1. She was fired from the veterinary hospital May 8 and arrested.

The veterinarian whose name she forged told investigators he had never treated Buster, and that he would never prescribe the drug for a dog. The doctor said hydrocodone/APAP contains Tylenol and causes liver failure in dogs. He also said it has great potential to be abused by humans.

Carter reportedly told investigators she executed the same scheme at a veterinary hospital in Santa Rosa, Calif., until she was fired. According to reports, California hospital officials agreed not to report her offense if she obtained treatment.

She agreed, but moved to Carson Valley instead.

Investigators estimate she obtained 645 pills from a single pharmacy. She told deputies she was addicted to pain pills and consumed 10 a day.

She admitted forging 10 prescriptions for Tussigon, a syrup originally prescribed for her dog's kennel cough.

n The operator of a Gardnerville Ranchos assisted-living home pleaded guilty Wednesday to failing to provide worker's compensation insurance for her employees.

East Fork Justice Pro Tem Paul Gilbert suspended a 30-day jail sentence for Mary Ellen Padgett, 62.

The Nevada Attorney General's office reduced the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor, but warned Padgett if the offense occurs again, she would face a felony.

She was accused of failing to provide worker's compensation for her employees from March 20-April 18, 2007.

According to the complaint, Padgett also was convicted of lapses in insurance in September 2003 and September 2004.

She told Gilbert she had been "in a depressive state" due to the death of her mother and two residents.

"It takes a toll on your emotions," she said.

Gilbert suspended the jail sentence for one year and ordered her to pay $750 to the state and fines and fees of $297.

n A 43-year-old Gardnerville man was ordered Wednesday to attend six months of anger management classes after he admitted punching a 13-year-old boy in the face in an argument over grades.

Lawyer Tod Young said the defendant, Steven Kozlowski, suffered a brain injury several years ago and can't remember the incident that led to his arrest.

Kozlowski pleaded guilty to battery that constitutes domestic violence and was released from Douglas County Jail after a month's incarceration.

"He is very interested in getting counseling to deal with the traumatic brain injury," Young said.

"If I did hit (the victim), I'm very sorry. I don't know what's happening. I'm sorry for doing it. He didn't deserve it," Young said.

Kozlowski also faces a driving under the influence charge in Carson City.

n A 19-year-old Carson City student was ordered Wednesday to pay his share of a $2,943.75 bill for a water fountain he admitted destroying with a hammer.

Chris Kepley sent a letter to the victim and apologized for his "foolish, juvenile" behavior, according to his lawyer, Tod Young.

The incident occurred in August at a residence on San Juan Circle in the Saratoga Springs subdivision off Stephanie Way.

"This is not a mean boy," Young said. "He has no history of violence."

East Fork Justice Pro Tem Paul Gilbert told Kepley he needs to step up efforts to find a job. He ordered the victim to be repaid by Sept. 8.

A juvenile involved in the vandalism also has been ordered to share the restitution, but each is fully responsible for the total if the other doesn't pay.