Teen faces 10 years in burglaries

An 18-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos resident, identified by a neighbor as he tried to break into his grandmother's house, pleaded guilty Monday to felony burglary.

Timothy Morgan faces 10 years and a $10,000 fine plus restitution at his sentencing Oct. 30. He is eligible for probation.

He admitted taking part in more than 10 burglaries in the Gardnerville Ranchos in June and July.

Morgan and two others were arrested after deputies followed their vehicle from the Gardnerville Ranchos sand pits to Minden where they were caught near Carson Valley Inn.

Melanie Marie Kern, 23, of Gardnerville pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property. Robert Blaik Jorgenson, 25, is to appear in District Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Mark Jackson said Morgan was the principal in the 10 burglaries he described as "kick-ins."

"We didn't have direct evidence or physical evidence to establish Kern and Jorgenson as more involved," Jackson said.

The burglaries were similar in that they occurred during the day and a rear or side door was kicked in to gain access, that the homes were ransacked and that cash, coin, jewelry and camera equipment was stolen.

Morgan was arrested after a neighbor recognized him as he was attempting to pry open a window at his grandmother's house.

Many of the items were recovered at the sand pits in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

The trio is responsible for making restitution to the victims.

Kern pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession of stolen property. She was ordered to participate in Western Nevada Regional Drug Court. If Kern successfully completes the program, charges will be dismissed. Jackson agreed to drug court because he said Kern had no other criminal record and the burglaries were motivated by methamphetamine usage.

She faced up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

"Drug court is way better than prison. It's way better than meth," said District Judge Dave Gamble.