Category: Court News

TOPOCK – On Thursday, July 9, six people were arrested during a search warrant was conducted by Mohave Area General Narcotics Enforcement (MAGNET) in the 5000 block of E. Mesa Dr. in Topock. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office had received several complaints from citizens that the property was being used as a “flop house” with possible drug activity. Seven total subjects were removed from the residence at the beginning of the search warrant for questioning. During the search, 0.31 grams of methamphetamine, 0.49 grams of marijuana, 4 glass pipes, a scale and, and other various items of drug paraphernalia were…

LAKE HAVASU CITY – A former Lake Havasu City businessman is going to the Arizona Department of Corrections after a Mohave County judge rejected pleas for probation Thursday. Tim McDonald, 48, was given a 4.5-year prison sentence, the maximum punishment possible under terms of a plea agreement accepted by judge Billy Sipe. Deputy Mohave County attorney James Schoppmann told a trial jury that McDonald formerly operated the Offshore Custom Marine boat consignment business in Lake Havasu. Schoppmann said the enterprise would sell boats for people who agreed to pay 10% commission. Schoppmann told jurors that McDonald kept the proceeds, depriving…

BULLHEAD CITY – Mandatory prison terms are specified in proposed plea agreements that will resolve Bullhead City drug dealing cases. Rene Carranza-Sanchez pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession of dangerous drugs for sale in a deal requiring Mohave County Superior Court Judge Rick Lambert to impose a five-year prison term at a sentencing hearing scheduled August 14. The deal dismisses other charges for alleged narcotics and weapons offenses. Prosecutor Morgan Carstensen said the charges result from a warrant-based search conducted on December 7, 2019 at a home in the 1900 block of Sea Breeze Lane. She said officers confiscated about two…

BULLHEAD CITY – Mandatory prison terms are specified in proposed plea agreements that will resolve Bullhead City drug dealing cases. Rene Carranza-Sanchez pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession of dangerous drugs for sale in a deal requiring Mohave County Superior Court Judge Rick Lambert to impose a five-year prison term at a sentencing hearing scheduled August 14. The deal dismisses other charges for alleged narcotics and weapons offenses. Prosecutor Morgan Carstensen said the charges result from a warrant-based search conducted on December 7, 2019 at a home in the 1900 block of Sea Breeze Lane. She said officers confiscated about two…

KINGMAN – The horrific murder of a Kingman woman over a custody dispute involving her grandchildren ended Friday with the sentencing of the victim’s daughter who pleaded guilty to first degree murder. Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle imposed a life prison sentence for Carrie Vanover, 24. Co-defendant Mark Baldonado, 32, was previously sent to the Arizona Department of Corrections under an identical plea agreement. Both convicted killers must remain in prison for at least 25 years before possible parole windows open. Various authorities, investigative reports, evidence and admissions paint a consistent picture of why and how Shawn Vanover,…