Category: Court News

A Lake Havasu City man displayed a sense of humor Monday before a Judge imposed the near double-decade prison term mandated in a plea agreement resolving his criminal cases. The moment of mirth came when Judge Derek Carlisle addressed conflicting accounts of how much restitution Jesse Underwood, 37, is being required to pay. Judge Carlisle selected the lower of the two totals, resulting in an eight-cent reduction in restitution of more than $48,000. “It’s a small victory, but I’ll take it,” Underwood said prompting a mix of smiles and chuckles from the Judge, attorneys and the defendant’s mother. Four cases…

Prosecutor Greg McPhillips told a trial jury Tuesday that a 63-year-old Las Vegas man exchanged more than 1,200 text messages with a detective posing as a 13-year-old girl before driving to Kingman to have sex with her last October. He said officers greeted Kevin Harry Moninger when he showed up at a motel with Viagra in his pocket and gifts for the girl he learned was a detective. McPhillips said Mohave County Sheriff’s office detective Brennan Cassidy, who specializes in forensic electronic case work, posed as a 13-year-old girl named “Sabrina”. He said the initial communication occurred when Moninger responded…

Mohave County will initiate commitment proceedings for a Bullhead City woman who was arrested last fall when she allegedly torched her daughter’s duplex. Two pet dogs perished in the fire in the 300 block of Anna Circle. Ofelia Gray, 72, had been charged with arson of an occupied structure and two counts of animal cruelty. Prosecutor Jeff Haws and defense attorney Adam Crizan informed the Court that two experts who conducted mental health examinations both determined that Gray is not competent to stand trial. “We believe that Ms. Gray is a danger to herself and to others,” Haws told Superior…

A Mohave Valley man convicted of drug and weapons charges was released from custody following his sentencing hearing in Kingman Wednesday, April 24. That’s because Mohave County Superior Court Judge Rick Lambert imposed a 145 day jail sentence and credited Mark MacAlpine, 55, for the 145 days already spent behind bars. Officers seized dozens of weapons and a cache of ammunition when they searched MacAlpine’s home in the 7800 block of Green Valley Drive last December.  They also shut down a marijuana wax production operation discovered in the residence. Prosecutor Rod Albright said officers found a hot plate, filters and glass…

A Bullhead City man was animated when he answered a Judge’s questions while indicating he was eager to enter a plea agreement that will send him to the Arizona Department of Corrections. Ernie Hernandez Felix, 29, responded to Judge Billy Sipe’s inquiry regarding his comprehension of the proposed plea during the April 22 hearing. “I think it’s a great deal. I am taking it,” Felix said. “I am guilty sir. I am guilty.” Prosecutor Kellen Marlow said that Felix and co-defendant Sigifredo Herrera-Arteaga, 32, Bullhead City, accosted the victim in the driveway of his home in the 1800 block of…

The purported ringleader of allege massage parlor prostitution operations in Bullhead City and Lake Havasu needs a new lawyer. Defense attorney Brad Rideout has been allowed to withdraw as legal counsel for Amanda Yamauchi, 47. The woman who claims residency in Las Vegas with ties to both Colorado River communities in Arizona is charged in a multi count indictment accusing her of involvement in human trafficking and forcing women to work as prostitutes. More than a half dozen others face various charges for their alleged roles in the operation that was the focus of a two year investigation. Rideout told…