'Streaker' sentenced to probation

A 21-year-old Minden man who exposed himself three times to cheerleaders at Douglas High School was sentenced Tuesday to probation and ordered to complete 80 hours of community service.

"I am terribly sorry for what I did. I know it was incredibly stupid," said Michael Robert King. "Nothing like this will ever happen again."

District Judge Dave Gamble suspended a one-year sentence in Douglas County Jail and placed King on two years probation.

King must register as a sex offender, but is not subject to community notification, according to his lawyer, Tod Young.

He must abstain from drugs and alcohol and has to stay away from any campus where there are kindergarten through high school-age students.

King may not have contact with minors except immediate family members without permission of his probation officer.

"People in our community should be free of this ridiculous behavior. If I feel any indication you're not treating this seriously, you'll go through that door for one year," Gamble said, pointing to the exit that leads to jail.

Gamble said he reviewed an evaluation of King and letters on his behalf.

King pleaded guilty to indecent exposure, gross misdemeanor.

According to the complaint, King ran naked in front of the cheerleaders, stood naked behind a female juvenile and followed two female juveniles while he was naked or only wearing underwear.

The incidents allegedly occurred last June and July.

n A 20-year-old South Lake Tahoe man with three felony convictions from a single offense was sentenced Tuesday to five years probation for selling $25,000 worth of fraudulent tickets to shows at MontBleu casino.

Christopher Michael Jimenez was ordered to pay $200 a month restitution. He committed the offense while employed by the Stateline resort/casino in the entertainment office.

Jimenez pleaded guilty to felony theft.

"In my eyes, I didn't think it was wrong. After spending the last year in jail, I know I was wrong. I know I am a thief, I should say I was a thief. I want to live an honorable life and take care of my child," he said.

After his arrest for the Douglas County charge, Jimenez was arrested on an embezzlement charge in California for which he served a year.

"People who steal from people who employ them are pretty low," said District Judge Dave Gamble. "You're 20 years old and you have four felony convictions."

Gamble said he agreed to probation because he wanted Jimenez to make restitution and fulfill his obligation as a parent.

"What we don't need is one more little girl being raised without a father," Gamble said.

He sentenced Jimenez to 48 months in Nevada State Prison, suspended, and ordered him to stay out of all gaming establishments during his 5-year probation.

He must abstain from drugs and alcohol during probation and inform any employers of his convictions.

n A 32-year-old former GE Energy employee admitted Tuesday that he stole equipment from the company and tried to sell it on eBay.

Michael Carpenter of Fernley pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny and is set for sentencing May 6.

According to reports, items worth nearly $10,000, including a laptop computer, digital camera and two calibrators worth $4,000 each, were taken in January 2007 from the factory acceptance test area at the plant.

When the items didn't turn up, a supervisor directed an employee to search eBay.

One of the calibrators was listed for sale for $1,500 by a person identified as a GE Energy employee. The calibrator was not sold and was removed from the popular auction Web site.

According to eBay records, the suspect opened his eBay account a day before the theft. He also reportedly was absent from work the day after the theft.

Carpenter told District Judge Dave Gamble he committed the theft because he needed money. He denied taking the computer or camera.

He faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

n A hearing is set April 2 for a 21-year-old house painter accused of the sexual and physical abuse of an 11-year-old girl.

East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl appointed lawyer Derrick Lopez to represent David Springer, jailed on $250,000 cash bail.

Springer was arrested Tuesday at his home in Carson City.

He told EnEarl he understood the charges against him, and asked for help placing a telephone call from Douglas County Jail.

"I can't get hold of anybody," he said.

"Maybe they don't want to talk to you," EnEarl said.

Springer is charged with sexual assault of a child under age 14 and child abuse or neglect.

The 11-year-old girl told investigators Springer allegedly kicked her in the back and punched her in the stomach in November, and sexually abused her a dozen times over several months.

At the time of the alleged incidents, Springer lived in Gardnerville.

n A 47-year-old Reno man was outfitted with a tracking device so officials can tell if he violates a protection order granted to a woman who said he left her frightening telephone calls.

Robert Blaine pleaded guilty Wednesday to stalking and received a suspended six-month sentence in Douglas County Jail.

East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl placed Blaine on probation for a year and warned to stay away from the woman.

Blaine was served with an extended protection order Wednesday.

"This is somebody he cared for, he loved," said his lawyer, Derrick Lopez. "It was hard to let go. He behaved inappropriately. It was never his intent to hurt her. His intent is to never contact her again."

According to reports, Blaine left messages indicating he knew what the victim was wearing and where she had been.

He is accused of making the calls from Christmas through Feb. 26.

"I think he did scare the hell out of her," EnEarl said.

"To call a woman on the phone when you've broken up - to say, 'Please, give me another chance' - I can understand that," EnEarl said.

"To call her and say, 'I know what you are wearing. I know where you are going,' that's got to scare the hell out of a woman. That would probably scare the hell out of a man," he said.

"Intimidation and fear, that was his only intent," the judge said.

Blaine promised never to contact the woman.

"I wanted her back," he said. "She saved my life twice."

EnEarl said if he contacted the woman, he would go to jail.

Chief probation officer Doug Swalm asked EnEarl to approve the tracking device.

"It won't restrict his movement, we'll just know where he is," he said.

The device is paid for by a Department of Justice grant and won't cost Blaine.

He is forbidden to have alcohol or controlled substances during his probation.

Before he left the courtroom, Blaine reportedly told court personnel he "likes to have a beer after work, and wasn't going to stop. He said if he gets arrested for drinking, he gets arrested."