Category: Court News

KINGMAN – A low intelligence, mentally challenged Bullhead City man who used his hands and feet and a shower curtain rod to beat his disabled mother to death has been sentenced to the Arizona Department of Corrections. Joseph Houston, 28, pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of second-degree murder for the April, 2023 death of his mother after breaking into her home in the 1300 block of Lincoln Lane. Judge Billy Sipe noted that Houston’s mental health issues are significant but don’t rise to the level of a defense from prosecution. He said the brutal manner of the murder serves…

Thieves look for “targets of opportunity.” There are many things you can do to decrease those opportunities to avoid becoming a victim of residential and vehicle burglaries. Burglaries not only occur during the night, but often happen during daylight hours too. Here are some tips that will help make you and your family safer and also deter potential burglars. Home Burglary Prevention 1. Close blinds or curtains so thieves cannot see valuables inside your home. 2. Consider installing an alarm system and motion-activated lights in your yard. 3. Do not leave a key under your door mat, flower pot or on…

BULLHEAD CITY – A five-year prison term was ordered Monday for a Las Vegas woman who pleaded guilty to multiple charges in a deadly jet ski accident on the Colorado River in Bullhead City. There is no dispute that Iridian Basoco, 27, had drugs in her system when the private watercraft she operated entered a designated swim zone at a high rate of speed on July 4, 2022 near Community Park. Two people were struck in the water and two more on the beach after the jet ski exited the river. The first person struck, Ricardo Almanza, 43, Corona, Calif.,…

MOHAVE COUNTY – Mohave Silent Witness offers up to $4,500 for information helping the Sheriff’s Office in three criminal death investigations. Up to $1,500 is offered for information in each of the three matters. Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said the agency is still trying to determine who was responsible for a Jan. 2 hit-and-run pedestrian fatality in Golden Valley. James McDaniel, 69, Golden Valley died of injuries sustained when he was struck by a vehicle at the corner of Chino Dr. and Adobe Rd. Detectives are also trying to identify a suspect in a Feb. 25 shooting death in…

KINGMAN – A Kingman man has been arrested for firing upon a semi-truck and its driver. Personnel from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and Arizona Department of Public Safety responded to the incident at about 7:17 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 29. It had been reported that a subject had been shooting a weapon from a motorhome in the parking lot of a business in the 6000 block of E. Minerva Ln., east of Kingman. “Deputies and state troopers surrounded the motorhome and began ordering the occupants out,” said MCSO spokeswoman Anita Mortensen. “A short time later a male subject later…

KINGMAN – Law enforcement authorities are looking for the suspect identified in a Kingman homicide investigation. A female gunshot victim was reportedly dead at the scene after Mohave County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 3100 block of Butler Ave., late Sunday morning, March 3. Detectives were called in to investigate the death of Marie Ann Noelani Garcia, 30. They identified Nicholas Ray Volk, 32, as the suspect. “The investigation revealed that Volk left the scene in a tan Jeep, which has been located,” said MCSO spokeswoman Anita Mortensen. “Volk should be considered armed and dangerous.” Anyone with information regarding Volk’s…