Carson man admits eluding police in Indian Hills chase

A man who rammed a patrol car while attempting to elude Washoe Tribal Police faces up to six years in prison after he admitted to a felony on Monday.

Robert Hernandez, 21, appeared in Douglas County District Court on Monday where he pleaded guilty to attempting to elude a police officer.

In a plea agreement with prosecutors, the charge was reduced down from causing bodily harm. As a result of the guilty plea, a jury trial scheduled for April 22 was cancelled.

Under the agreement, prosecutors may not argue for more than a four-year sentence for Hernandez.

Hernandez is Carson City Mayor Marv Teixeira's step-son. He was indicted by the Douglas County Grand Jury on one count of eluding a police officer causing bodily harm.

The charges stem from a March 12, 2007, incident in which Washoe Tribal Police pursued a vehicle driven by Hernandez from Stewart into Indian Hills.

The chase ended when Hernandez rammed the cruiser, injuring an officer.

Both he and the passenger in the vehicle, Fidel Fuentes, ran from the vehicle. Fuentes was captured after a manhunt, but Hernandez escaped. He was arrested April 29, 2007, in Palm Springs, Calif., for possession of a stolen vehicle. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison in California.