Accessory to 2004 killing sentenced to probation

A Los Angeles man received probation Tuesday for his part in a May 2004 shooting death on Eighth Street.

Victor Rodriguez, 22, known to Carson City investigators as Steven Contreras, was sentenced by District Judge Bill Maddox to five years probation in lieu of 12 to 31 months in prison.

Rodriguez was charged as an accessory for allegedly helping accused murderer Maximilliano Cisneros, 23, flee Carson City following the shooting death of Juan Carlos Alegria and injury to Fidel Fuentes on May 25, 2004.

Investigators have said Alegria, 23, was an innocent bystander when Fuentes, 22, banged on the Eighth Street apartment door of his estranged girlfriend, Katie Armstrong. Cisneros allegedly emerged from the apartment and opened fire, striking Alegria and Fuentes, before fleeing.

Rodriquez was arrested for possession of marijuana about 11 a.m. the day of the shooting when police went to his Long Street apartment in the search for Cisneros.

He bailed out six and a half hours later and disappeared, said Sgt. Bob White.

Police believe he picked up Cisneros in west Carson City after the shooting and fled with him to Los Angeles.

A June 25 search of a storage unit rented in Rodriquez's alias netted a cache of weapons and methamphetamine and led to the arrest of Saul Cisneros, 21, Maximilliano Cisneros' brother. Rodriguez was arrested Aug. 11 when he returned to Carson City, allegedly to collect the contents of the storage shed.

Cisneros was arrested in Mexico. He was bound over on a murder charge in March. His next court date is July 19.

n Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.