Eluder receives 11 years in prison

Joseph Michael Baird

Joseph Michael Baird

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A Fresno man was sentenced to 11 years in prison Monday after eluding peace officers from Bridgeport to Gardnerville in August.

Joseph Michael Baird, 27, was arrested on Aug. 16, 2024.

After allegedly dropping off two robbers, a Black Mercedes SUV Baird was driving was identified by authorities in Mono County as a stolen vehicle.

Mono County deputies and California Highway Patrol officers found the vehicle and pursued it north toward Douglas County at speeds up to 80-160 mph.

Douglas deputies headed south on Highway 395 just after midnight to intercept the Mercedes at the state line, but because of the speed of the pursuit, they were only able to get to Pine Valley before they set up spike strips.

According to Sheriff Sgt. Justin Williams, his patrol car was being outpaced by the Mercedes, but at some point, Baird slowed down sufficiently for Williams to deploy a grappler and the chase ended on Jakes Hill south of Gardnerville.

Baird was sentenced to 28-72 months for failure to stop a motor vehicle endangering others, and 24-60 months for possession of a stolen vehicle.

• A New Mexico man who embezzled more than $3,500 while an employee at Harrah’s Casino was granted a deferred sentence on Monday.

According to court documents Brian David Stup, 36, accumulated $3,521.21 worth of player points Jan. 7-22, 2024.

Stup is subject to all conditions of probation including search and seizure and he must enter and complete the Santa Fey County Drug Court.

A review hearing is scheduled for Jan. 25, 2027.

• A 52-year-old man already serving a 5-15 year prison term received three more years on his sentence on Monday.

Rudolph Cesario Ramirez, 52, was arrested on Dec. 4, 2023, in possession of a rifle near Bluerock Road after being convicted of a robbery on Oct. 13, 2019. The possession charge added 12-36 months which is to run concurrent to his robbery offense.

• A man who attempted to hitch a ride from Chicago Mikes while in possession of paraphernalia was honorably discharged on Monday.

Frank William Cavataio was arrested April 1, 2024 near Chicago Mikes where he attempted to hitch a ride and was found in possession of pipes, drug residue and a bag containing methamphetamine.

Cavataio was sentenced to 12-30 months in prison, which was suspended and he was ordered to serve 253 days in Douglas County Jail. He was given credit for 253 days and as a result was honorably discharged during his hearing.

• A man who used someone’s credit card without their permission six years ago was placed on probation Monday.

Anthony Michael Thoma was arrested Nov. 18, 2018, after he used a credit card belonging to someone else to purchase goods from Xhale Bar and Lounge at Stateline without the cardholders permission.

Thoma was sentenced to 12-30 months in prison, which was suspended not to exceed 24 months. He was given credit for four days.

• A man who attempted to steal a television was granted probation on Monday.

Earl Lee Jones was arrested Sept. 18, 2024, for attempting to steal the TV from Walmart.

He was sentenced to 12-30 months in prison, which was suspended and he was placed on probation not to exceed 24 months. He was subject to all conditions of probation, including staying out of Walmart. He was given credit for eight days. 

• A man who stole multiple items from Target was sentenced to probation on Monday.

William Tylor Gilliland, 36, was arrested Feb. 8, 2024, for burglary of a business.

Douglas County District Attorney James Sibley said the case might have been part of an organized retail theft scheme in which different stores were targeted. He said a Facebook store was selling the items. He said Gilliland’s involvement appeared to be because of his substance abuse.

According to a presentence investigation, Gilliland’s criminal history is mostly misdemeanor offenses.

Gilliland was sentenced to 12-30 months in prison. The term was suspended and he was placed on probation not to exceed 24 months.

He is subject to all terms of probation and prohibited from entering a Target. He was given credit for 111 days.