A 19-year-old Carson City woman accused of trying to dissuade a witness from testifying against her boyfriend in an alleged kidnapping was sentenced Monday to two years probation.
District Judge Michael Gibbons suspended a nine-month sentence in Douglas County Jail for Melissa Suzanne Goetz and ordered her to pay $1,345 restitution and $250 in attorney's fees.
"You can put this behind you pretty quickly," Gibbon said. "After you pay your fees, you can request release from probation."
He also told Goetz she must provide proof she has graduated from high school or obtained her general equivalency diploma.
She was accused of acting on behalf of Robert Pierce, 33, who was facing felony kidnapping charges, but has since pleaded guilty to burglary. He is to be sentenced Nov. 29.
The victim of the alleged kidnapping said he was taken out to the Pine Nuts, threatened with a knife, and left in the wilderness with only his socks and underwear.
Goetz, who said she was Pierce's girlfriend at the time of her arrest, was accused of sitting next to a witness to the alleged crime as she was questioned by telephone, suggesting replies to investigators. She also was accused of telling the witness she didn't have to answer questions.
She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to dissuade a witness from reporting a crime.
Gibbons forbid her from contacting Pierce or any other principals in the case. He also ordered her to honor any request if called as a witness and to testify truthfully.
She must abstain from drugs and alcohol.
