Probation revoked after man admits peddling pills in neighborhood

Probation was revoked Monday for a 21-year-old Carson City man who sold hydrocodone pills in his apartment complex and reportedly threatened his probation officer.

District Judge Michael Gibbons ordered Alexander Miller-O'Neill to serve a 30-month sentence in Nevada State Prison for a 2006 theft of $4,300 from Walmart where he worked as a cashier.

Miller-O'Neill, who begged the judge to reinstate his probation so he could return to the Marine Corps, wept as he was led by bailiffs from the courtroom.

"You've had several chances," Gibbons said. "The court tried to help you and it hasn't worked out."

Miller-O'Neill said he didn't intend to harm probation officer Jorge Pierrott.

Pierrott told Gibbons he was trying to help Miller-O'Neill qualify for early discharge because he'd made restitution.

Then, he said, Miller-O'Neill committed several offenses including violating curfew, drinking alcohol, ordering drugs online that he sold to neighbors.

"Because of his (threat) allegations toward me, he would put any other officer in jeopardy trying to supervise him," Pierrott said.

He also said he was concerned that Miller-O'Neill wasn't using the pills, but trying to get others addicted.

Lawyer Derrick Lopez said his client knew had had anger issues and thought he was getting an early discharge. He also realized if he had a felony conviction the military would be closed to him.

"He functions well under the military and not so well in public," Lopez said.

Miller-O'Neill was discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps when he injured his knee during boot camp. He said he's been undergoing rehabilitation and "been in contact with the Marine Corps from day 1" in an effort to be readmitted.

-- A 63-year-old man who took $12,000 from a Gardnerville couple for a pool renovation he never completed was sentenced Monday to 21⁄2 years In Nevada State Prison.

Leroy Rendhal has a history of felonies in Utah, California and Nevada for contracting without a license and leaving a wake of unfinished projects.

He has been to prison three times.

"He feels really bad," said lawyer Derrick Lopez. "He wants to make right what he's done wrong. He never set out to defraud people, but without a license, there is a limit to what you can do."

Lopez said Rendahl wanted to reconnect with his daughters who found him while he was in prison and hoped to move to Alabama after he serves his sentence.

"You decided along the way not to follow the laws of contracting," Gibbons said. "You went to prison and I don't think you're a good candidate for probation."

He ordered Rendahl to serve a minimum of 12 months in prison before he is eligible for parole. He also ordered him to pay nearly $9,000 restitution.

The victims said it would cost $32,000 to repair the swimming pool from the damage Rendahl caused.

-- A 26-year-old Gardnerville man pleaded guilty Monday to child abuse, admitting he spanked his girlfriend's 11-year-old daughter, but denying allegations of sexual abuse.

David Springer entered an Alford plea which means he admitted the crime to avoid prosecution on more serious charges.

He faces up to six years in prison at his sentencing Nov. 17.

Lawyer Tod Young asked for a later sentencing date so his client could undergo a mental health evaluation, but District Judge Michael Gibbons pointed out the case was nearly a year old.

Springer has been in Douglas County Jail on $50,000 bail since his arrest in November 2007.

Springer said he spanked the child three times for disobeying. He denied an allegation that he pulled her hair out.

Prosecutor Laurie Trotter said she planned to provide evidence and witnesses at the sentencing of the sexual abuse and hair-pulling.

"We believe it is in the best interests of the state and the victims to have him plead guilty to the child abuse," Trotter said.