Man convicted of grand theft auto

A California man was convicted of grand larceny of a motor vehicle on Wednesday after a two-day jury trial.

Randy A. Martin, 35, was remanded to the custody of the Sheriff’s Office pending his Feb. 14 sentencing where he faces 1-5 years in prison.

The jury didn’t believe Martin’s story that another man gave him the keys to a 1991 Blazer that he was seen on video climbing into on June 9, 2020. Martin said the Blazer overheated on the way to Reno and he left it.

However, the Blazer was eventually found stripped in Hayward, Calif., near where Martin lives. 

• A Californian faces 1-5 years in prison after he admitted Tuesday to possession of a stolen vehicle in a 4-year-old case.

Charles Vincentamante Villa, 40, is on parole out of Washoe County after being sentenced to prison early last year for fraudulent use of a credit card.

Villa failed to appear in court in April 2020 and his May trial was vacated.

He admitted to being in possession of a 1991 Jeep Wrangler when he was pulled over Nov. 12, 2017, that was reported stolen the night before in Stateline.

He is scheduled to be sentenced March 15.

• A South Lake Tahoe woman faces a 2-15-year prison sentence after she admitted Tuesday to high level possession of a controlled substance.

Natalie Marie Cosovich, 28, was arrested Oct. 22, 2021, with 116 grams of methamphetamine in addition to heroin and Xanax.

“This was more than a relapse,” prosecutor Patrick Ferguson said in arguing against her being released on her own recognizance.

She may post bail which was set at $43,000 prior to her March 15 sentencing date.

Judge Young said that if she was able to arrange for an inpatient treatment program, he would reconsider.

• A California woman admitted to possession of three credit cards without the owners’ permission.

Shunda Catalano, 42, swore to the spelling of her first name under oath after she corrected it from Shundra. The Nevada Department of Corrections has her first name as Shanda.

She was arrested in Stateline after deputies spotted a U-Haul she and a man had been living in that had been reported embezzled in Fresno. 

Under a plea agreement Catalano faces 1-4 years in prison at her March 22 sentencing.

At sentencing she will also be ordered to pay restitution to the card holders, including for the U-Haul and extradition fees to bring her back from California.

• A professional chef who admitted a charge of assault with a deadly weapon received a suspended 2-5-year prison sentence on Tuesday.

Randy Ray Stine, 42, was ordered to spend another 30 days in jail as part of his sentence.

Stine admitted to the charge in connection with a July 1, 2021, incident involving his partner of 10 years, who spoke on Tuesday.

He described an altercation that started in the parking lot of Carson Valley Plaza in the morning and resulted in deputies responding and taking a statement from the woman whose face was bloodied.

Stine managed to evade authorities and pick her up to continue the argument as they returned to Sacramento, where another fight resulted in Stine being convicted in September and incarcerated until Nov. 19, 2021, when he was picked up on the Douglas warrant.

The victim described the day as one bad day on a long, bad trip.

Attorney Justin Clouser said Stine had a long criminal history.

Prosecutor Patrick Ferguson said that history included six prior felony convictions. 

Stine was given credit for 75 days time served. He will be on probation for three years after he completes his jail sentence.

• A man who punched another inmate in the jail may have earned himself a ticket to prison.

Nestor Kevin Tavares admitted to a count of battery by a prisoner in custody, which is significantly more serious than the vehicle burglary charge he was being held for.

Tavares was originally arrested Aug. 15, 2020, inside someone else’s Subaru. After he failed to appear in court a warrant was issued for his arrest, which occurred Nov. 11, 2021.

He lasted 19 days in the jail before he punched the other inmate, who was being held on a misdemeanor trespassing charge.

He faces 1-6 years in prison for the battery and 1-4 years for the vehicle burglary charge.