Category: Court News

BULLHEAD CITY – A Bullhead City man is standing trial for alleged sex offenses that the victim claims began more than a decade ago. Attorneys presented opening statements Monday in the trial of Tom Villanueva, 48. Villanueva is charged with indecent exposure and two counts of sexual conduct with a minor. Deputy Mohave County Attorney Amanda Claerhout told the Mohave County Superior Court jury that the victim will testify she was 9 or 10 years old when the defendant began sexually abusing her. Claerhout said the activity began with “grooming“ before advancing to oral activity and sexual intercourse into her…

BULLHEAD CITY – A Bullhead City resident charged in a drunk driving traffic fatality is resolving her criminal case by plea agreement. Megan Irene Nicole Jergens, 28, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide for the July 15, 2021 death of Lucia Mendoza, 20, Bullhead City. The plea agreement entered Aug. 17 also convicts Jergens of aggravated assault for the two-vehicle collision that injured Mendoza’s aunt. Jergens also pleaded guilty to driving while impaired with a minor in the vehicle she operated. Police said Jergens was northbound on Lakeside Drive with her 9-year-old son in the front passenger seat and her 3-year-old…

BULLHEAD CITY – A Bullhead City resident charged in a drunk driving traffic fatality is resolving her criminal case by plea agreement. Megan Irene Nicole Jergens, 28, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide for the July 15, 2021 death of Lucia Mendoza, 20, Bullhead City. The plea agreement entered Aug. 17 also convicts Jergens of aggravated assault for the two-vehicle collision that injured Mendoza’s aunt. Jergens also pleaded guilty to driving while impaired with a minor in the vehicle she operated. Police said Jergens was northbound on Lakeside Drive with her 9-year-old son in the front passenger seat and her 3-year-old…

LAKE HAVASU CITY – A Lake Havasu city man has pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with a girl half his age. The plea deal entered Aug. 18 dismisses two charges of sexual conduct with a minor while convicting Jamie Lewis, 29, of another count reduced to attempted sexual conduct with a minor. Police investigation began in mid-April when sexually explicit communications with the defendant were found on the victim’s cell phone. The 14-year-old girl denied having intercourse with Lewis but admitted oral sexual activity occurred on three occasions. It wasn’t until May 24 when Lake Havasu Police located…