Warrant issued in felony domestic battery case

A warrant was issued for the arrest of a man who was released from custody after a mistrial was declared in his felony domestic violence case.

Jacob Angelo Massey, 37, is being sought on a $30,000 warrant because he failed to appear in court on Monday.

Massey is denying charges in connection with a Nov. 2, 2022, domestic battery in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

Massey served prison time on a prior felony domestic battery conviction in Washoe County.

District Judge Tom Gregory granted a prosecution motion to extend time to reply to a defense motion to dismiss the case. Prosecutors were given until Nov. 27 in order to get transcript for opening arguments, which is as far as anyone got in the trial.

• A California woman who admitted to having 18.2 grams of methamphetamine when she was arrested received a suspended 19-48-month prison sentence on Monday.

Jennifer Fay Newman said she was a good person, who was fundraising for Paradise Gleaners in her hometown.

“I have learned a valuable lesson,” she said.

“I don’t think we’ll see her violating probation,” defense attorney Joe Laub said.

Prosecutor Chelsea Mazza said prosecutors agreed to recommend probation but asked that the underlying sentence be more severe.

Newman’s probation will last 18 months. She was given credit for two days she served in jail.

• A Gardnerville man admitted two felony drug charges on Monday and will seek a treatment program.

George Alexander Best, 41, could face up to nine years in prison and a $15,000 fine, though good performance in the program might help his cause at sentencing on Jan. 8, 2024.

Best has been in custody since July 31. He was released on his own recognizance so he can attend a program at New Frontiers in Fallon.

• A Reno man who is accused of several probation violations denied all but one on Monday.

Jose Armando Arriaga Ruiz, 26, said he did use cocaine.

He was sentenced to 2-5 years in prison in August 2022 after he admitted trying to elude deputies at Lake Tahoe on May 30, 2021.

The violations would not result in Arriaga Ruiz going to prison, but they could result in additional jail time. A Nov. 30 hearing was set for a hearing to determine whether he committed any of the other violations.

• A woman who was a passenger in a high-speed pursuit received a suspended sentence after she failed her diversion.

Jessica Lynn Demarco, 23, has what attorney Brian Filter described as a “pretty severe substance abuse issue.”

DeMarco was not successful in Western Nevada Regional Drug Court, but Filter said she came to court with a list of goals, which is a change.

Among those goals are going to school, being a parent to her daughter and not relying on medications.

She received a suspended 19-48-month sentence on condition she return to drug court and complete the program.

Demarco admitted to felony possession of a controlled substance and gross misdemeanor possession of burglary tools.

• A 23-year-old man who has been convicted of two felonies received a suspended 18-48 month prison sentence after he admitted to a felony drug charge.

Hunter Chad Smith will go into treatment after attorney Nadine Morton said he “has been on a mission to destroy himself.”

“He could still develop into a man who could benefit society,” she said.

• A 23-year-old woman admitted she was carrying a concealed Smith & Wesson .44-caliber magnum pistol in a satchel when she was arrested on Sept. 21.

Heidi Graciela Munoz is eligible for probation on the charge that carries a sentence of 1-5 years and a $10,000 fine at her Dec. 18 sentencing.

• A man admitted Monday that he failed to register as a sex offender.

Charles Richard Petty faces 1-4 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

A Dec. 18 sentencing date was set.

Attorney Nadine Morton said that Perry was unaware that he had to register in Nevada. He was camping on Oct. 9 when he was taken into custody.