Trial still on in big Tahoe meth bust

Joseph Cudia

Joseph Cudia

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A March 22 jury trial is still in the cards for a California man facing a possible life sentence after he was arrested in a Stateline drug raid.

Joseph Alan Cudia, 45, who is denying the charge, appeared in Douglas County District Court on Tuesday for a status review.

Attorney Adam Spicer said he and prosecutors have been in touch about a possible settlement discussion.

Spicer asked District Judge Tod Young to set another review on Feb. 23 to see if attorneys had made any progress.

Cudia and Diego Coralles were arrested on May 14 after a raid on a Bonnie Court home in Stateline. Investigators reported purchasing 1.1 pounds of methamphetamine in undercover operations over five months.

• A Carson City man admitted to abuse or neglect of an elderly person and child abuse or neglect in Douglas County District Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutors will recommend that Travis Freeman Metoxen be sentenced to gross misdemeanors in both cases at his April 6 hearing. The elder abuse charge can either be considered a felony or a gross misdemeanor. The victim in the case was Metoxen’s mother, who recently died.

In the other case, Metoxen was accused of allowing a 13-year-old with diabetes to live in a home without running water or a functional toilet. The child sought help in February 2020 by passing a note to a convenience store clerk. The girl’s mother received a 364-day suspended sentence last year after the child asked the judge not to send her to jail.

• A former Harrah’s employee who was fraudulently making refunds to customers was likely deported.

Jorge Remigio-Madrigal, 28, admitted a felony count of embezzlement in 2017 after he was detained by security. They found cocaine on him.

He was granted diversion to Western Nevada Regional Drug Court, but the last entry was in 2018 in that file.

A $5,000 warrant was issued for his arrest.

• A $5,000 warrant was issued for the arrest of a 23-year-old California woman who failed to appear in Douglas County District Court on Monday.

Cheyanne Renaee Sanders was arrested Nov. 5 at Stateline with the credit cards and information for a half-dozen people.

Sanders faces 1-4 years in prison after she admitted to possession of a credit card without the owner’s permission.

Attorney Kris Brown said Sanders was released from El Dorado County custody Jan. 22.

• A man who was brought back on a Douglas County warrant after a Washoe County arrest will remain in custody pending his March 1 sentencing.

Shenandoah Hobbs, 41, is facing a gross misdemeanor after he was arrested on May 7 in a 2019 Jeep Cherokee reported stolen in South Lake Tahoe.

Hobbs failed to turn up for a July 20 sentencing hearing.

His attorney said he failed to appear because he was in California.

Hobbs faces up to 364 days in jail and will receive credit for the time he remains in custody.

• An April 6 trial for a woman accused of felony child concealment will likely be delayed after a new attorney took over her case.

Maira Alexandra Zermeno-Barahs, 22, is denying charges of burglary, possession of dangerous drugs and child concealment.

She was arrested May 30 after an altercation at a Village Way apartment in Gardnerville. According to court documents she pushed her way into the apartment, grabbed a car seat and the child. She was stopped by deputies in the apartment’s parking lot.

She has been in custody since she was arrested for failing to appear in court on Oct. 5.

• A Gardnerville Ranchos woman is denying a felony charge of domestic battery involving a deadly weapon.

Kelsey Claire Potts, 29, entered innocent pleas to charges related to a June 14 incident where she’s accused of ramming a vehicle driven by her former beau. The incident occurred on Purple Sage around 8 a.m. She allegedly had a .132 blood alcohol content when she was taken into custody.

• A March 3 arraignment was set for a Grass Valley man who couldn’t get a ride to court on Monday.

Attorney Maria Pence said she was in contact with Tanner Edward McCann, 30, and that he hadn’t failed to appear in court on the case.

McCann faces a charge of possession of a controlled substance in connection with a Lake Tahoe arrest.

• A warrant was issued on Monday for a Carson City man, who told his attorney he missed the bus.

Steven Gregory Hurd missed his arraignment in Douglas County District Court.

He was taken into custody later that day and is being held pending another hearing.