Carson City man gets probation in $4,300 Wal-Mart theft

A 19-year-old Carson City man who said he stole more than $4,300 as a Wal-Mart employee to help out a friend in trouble was sentenced Monday to probation and ordered to spend another week in Douglas County Jail.

Alexander Miller-O'Neill was arrested just before Christmas for the thefts which occurred over several months.

While on house arrest, Miller-O'Neill violated the terms and was returned to Douglas County jail earlier this month. He reportedly was stealing money from his grandmother and lied about working when he had been suspended from his job at a movie theater.

District Judge Michael Gibbons sentenced him to 30 months in Nevada State Prison with a 12-month minimum for parole eligibility.

He suspended the sentence and placed Miller-O'Neill on probation for two years.

He was ordered to pay restitution at $100 month on $2,400 which was not recovered.

Miller-O'Neill told Gibbons he was dedicated to re-entering the military and had surgery scheduled in May to correct the knee injury which caused his discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps.

Miller-O'Neill provided paper work which indicated he may be a candidate for re-admission.

"I really want to re-enlist in any branch," he said. "I am dedicated to the military. I knew I would get in trouble as a civilian."

Gibbons urged him to pay off the restitution so he might be discharged early from probation and eligible for re-enlistment.

"I want to give you a real carrot-and-stick approach," Gibbons said. "If you successfully complete your probation, your sentence will be reduced to a gross misdemeanor."

-- A 26-year-old Gardnerville man was sentenced Monday to 30 months in Nevada State Prison for felony driving under the influence.

"I'm sorry for what I did," Seth Saunders told District Judge Michael Gibbons.

Gibbons told Saunders that with three DUI convictions in four years, the defendant should think about whether he has a drinking problem.

"I'll do everything I can to quit, sir," Saunders said.

Saunders must serve 12 months before he is eligible for parole.

"As bad as it sounds, you may look back on this and say it was a turning point in your life," Gibbons said.

Saunders' prior convictions were April 9, 2003, and June 30, 2004.

He was arrested Oct. 26, 2006, with a blood-alcohol content of .191, more than twice the legal limit of .08 for driving in Nevada.

-- If a Carson City woman who admitted embezzling $103,000 from the Hellwinkel family more than eight years ago can't sell her residence within 60 days to make restitution, the mobile home is to be sold at auction.

District Judge Dave Gamble ordered the sheriff's sale if Julie Theall is unable to sell the Carson City residence which was appraised at $142,900.

The asking price is $144,000, down from $180,000 late last year.

Theall, 48, appeared in court Tuesday with Robb and Marlena Hellwinkel who still are owed $82,000 on the embezzlement which occurred when the defendant worked for the family's C.O.D. Garage and Motor Co.

The house is located at 2900 Kit Sierra Way in Carson City near the airport.

Lawyer Derrick Lopez, representing Theall, said the price had been lowered and the residence was refinanced for lower house payments with the difference to be used in fixing up the place.

He said recently there had been four contacts on the house, but two prospective buyers wanted Theall to carry the mortgage.

The Hellwinkels rejected a proposal to turn the property over to them.

"We don't want the house," Robb Hellwinkel said.