Man faces sexual assault charge

A Gardnerville stablehand facing a charge of sexual assault on a person under the age of 16 is scheduled to appear in East Fork Justice Court today.

Cameron James Cook, 21, turned himself in Friday on a warrant accusing him of getting a 14-year-old girl drunk and having sex with her.

On Monday, East Fork Justice of the Peace Jim EnEarl reduced Cook's bail from $100,000 to $7,500 cash only.

Cook's attorney, Tod Young, argued that Cook should be released on his own recognizance.

Young argued that Cook was not a flight risk or a threat to the community.

He said no violence was involved in the allegation, which stemmed from a March 7 incident.

"My client has made no attempt to hide," Young said. "He turned himself in on Friday. He has not engaged in any violence.

He is not a risk for flight and not a risk to the alleged victim."

Prosecutor Justina Caviglia argued against releasing Cook without bail.

In addition to lowering Cook's bail, EnEarl ordered him to have no contact with the victim or her family.

n A Gardnerville Ranchos woman was ordered Friday to spend 10 days in jail as a condition of her six-month suspended sentence in a Jan. 27 accident.

Vanessa Briesida Ann Gomez, 18, pleaded guilty to reckless driving and minor in possession of alcohol after an accident at Leonard Court.

Gomez was convicted of driving someone else's car fast down Leonard Court and losing control of the vehicle. She drove through a yard, hit a bush, tree and truck. Two motorcycles were also damaged in the accident.

In a victim's impact statement, the property owner said Gomez was lucky to be alive.

He estimated spending 67 hours working with insurance adjusters.

After sentencing Gomez, EnEarl ordered her to take a drug test, which turned out positive for cocaine.