Category: Court News

GOLDEN VALLEY – An apparent arson fire fatality in Golden Valley is under investigation by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). Dispatch was advised of the fire in the 3800 block of N. Avra R.,d at approximately 7:03 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18. MCSO public information officer Anita Mortensen said arriving deputies encountered a residence and vehicles on fire, and a man walking around with his hands concealed.  “Witnesses revealed that the male subject had started several small fires, leading to the majority of the property being fully engulfed,” Mortensen said. She said deputies were advised that Golden Valley Fire District personnel had…

MOHAVE VALLEY – A Fontana, California man has been sentenced to the Arizona Department of Corrections for having sex with a 14-year-old Mohave Valley girl. Defense attorney Elana Sears sought more lenient punishment for 30-year-old Silvestre Gonalez. “My client has always felt extreme remorse over what went on, but he can’t take it back,” Sears said during a Jan. 19 hearing before Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen. “I want to apologize to the family of the victim,” Gonzalez said. “I know I made a terrible, terrible mistake.” Deputy Mohave County Attorney Amanda Claerhout questioned the assessment of mistake,…

MOHAVE VALLEY – A Fontana, California man has been sentenced to the Arizona Department of Corrections for having sex with a 14-year-old Mohave Valley girl. Defense attorney Elana Sears sought more lenient punishment for 30-year-old Silvestre Gonalez. “My client has always felt extreme remorse over what went on, but he can’t take it back,” Sears said during a Jan. 19 hearing before Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen. “I want to apologize to the family of the victim,” Gonzalez said. “I know I made a terrible, terrible mistake.” Deputy Mohave County Attorney Amanda Claerhout questioned the assessment of mistake,…

LAKE HAVASU CITY – A Lake Havasu City man faces possible prison time for smacking a police officer at the local hospital last fall. Christopher Bartrow, 45, pleaded guilty Monday, Jan. 8 to aggravated assault. Deputy Mohave County Attorney Julia Ketchum told the court that officers responded to Havasu Regional Medical Center at 101 Civic Center Ln., after the hospital reported a patient was being belligerent with staff. She said Bartrow used his right fist and forearm to strike an officer on the left side of the head. Bartrow also admitted violating probation for failing to report for a probation…