Defendant skips sentencing second time

A bench warrant was issued for a 25-year-old man who reportedly got as far as the back entrance of the judicial center Monday for his sentencing before he apparently changed his mind and went to the Carson Valley Inn.

Ryan Hiltz failed to appear before District Judge Michael Gibbons for the second week in a row for running up $200 on stolen fuel cards in Douglas County and Carson City.

Hiltz's lawyer, Kris Brown, said he left telephone messages indicating he got the court time mixed up last week and would appear Monday.

She said he arrived for court Monday with his father, walked up to the door, and took off.

Brown said he was a passenger in a vehicle last week that was stopped in Carson City for driving under the influence and reportedly told the officer he had been using methamphetamine.

She said the officer was unaware of Hiltz's status in Douglas County, and did not arrest the suspect.

He appeared Sept. 29 in Carson City for sentencing in the gas card fraud, but that was delayed pending his Douglas County case.

Gibbons ordered Hiltz held without bail when he is arrested.

"This wasn't that big of a case to start with, particularly when probation was recommended," Gibbons said.

Prosecutor Laurie Trotter said she would wait until Hiltz's next court appearance to determine if she will honor the plea agreement.

He pleaded guilty to fraudulent use of a credit card.

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