Man faces domestic violence charge in slapping of teenager

A 44-year-old Gardnerville man is to appear in East Fork Justice Court on Jan. 24 charged with battery causing domestic violence after he was accused of striking a 16-year-old male twice in the face.

Gene Robert Murray was arrested Dec. 28 after the alleged victim claimed the defendant forced him to sleep on the floor in the hallway and told him he had to shower and use the bathroom in his presence.

Murray reportedly told a Douglas County deputy that the 16-year-old was using methamphetamine and had no right to privacy.

The boy claimed Murray hit him twice with a closed fist, but the defendant said he slapped him with an open hand.

According to court reports, the boy had run away and was returned home Dec. 28. Murray reportedly ordered him to remove his clothes and when the victim objected, Murray said he was not entitled to privacy because of his drug use.

The deputy said Murray "adamantly disagreed" with him when he suggested there were other ways to deal with the 16-year-old's alleged drug use than physical violence and humiliation.

The boy was placed under the supervision of Nevada Child Protective Services. Murray was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim.

n A 22-year-old Gardnerville man who reportedly drank two pints of brandy with a 50-year-old female neighbor when he was supposed to be baby-sitting was charged with child neglect.

Kristopher Grotts was arrested Jan. 3 and jailed on $25,000 bail.

According to court reports, paramedics were called to an address in the 1500 block of County Road at 1:30 a.m. for a report of alcoholic poisoning.

A deputy also responded and found the 50-year-old woman unconscious on the floor in a pool of vomit.

A 2-year-old boy and 9-year-old girl were in the apartment.

Grotts reportedly was verbally abusive to the officers and insisted he could take care of the older woman.

The children's mother said Grotts was supposed to baby-sit the children while she worked because he didn't have a job.

When she returned home at 12:20 a.m., the children were running around the apartment, Grotts was intoxicated, and the woman was passed out.

She said Grotts was crying because he thought the woman was dead.

The woman was revived and refused medical transport.

The children were unharmed, but their mother said they seemed scared and hungry.

n A 61-year-old Gardnerville man was arrested Jan. 1 for driving under the influence after he was stopped at Dresslerville Road and State Route 756.

According to deputies, Gary Allen Jacobson had a blood-alcohol content of .258, more than three times the legal limit of .08 for driving in Nevada.

A check of Jacobson's record indicated he has five DUI convictions in the past seven years, according to court reports.

He was jailed on $27,264 bail.

According to reports, a patrol deputy observed Jacobson's vehicle swerving across Centerville Lane. He initiated a traffic stop and said Jacobson smelled of alcohol and could not produce a valid license or proof of insurance.

When the deputy returned to his patrol car to check Jacobson's record, the defendant reportedly took off in his vehicle, heading north. The deputy called for backup, activated his lights and sirens and pulled Jacobson over again at Gilman and Waterloo.