Tahoe man gets prison in sex sting

A South Lake Tahoe man was sentenced to four years in prison for sexual exploitation and soliciting a child under 18 to prostitution Monday.

Victor Medina-Barajas, 51, was arrested in July 2022 after law-enforcement conducted a sting operation. According to court documents, Medina-Barajas offered $150 on social media in exchange for sex with a person under the age of 16.

“These operations are conducted to address these issues and the seriousness of them and though it is apparent that the defendant has family support, and he may not be a bad person, like he says, but unfortunately that did not stop him from committing this offense,” said Prosecutor Chelsea Mazza. “We want the court to be aware of the seriousness of these offenses.”

Medina-Barajas was sentenced to 19-48 months for both counts which are to run concurrently and fined $2,500. He was given 2 days credit for time served.

• A Gardnerville Ranchos man admitted to felonies related to an Aug. 10 domestic battery.

During the incident, Travis Michael Strawn, 23, put his girlfriend in a chokehold causing her to pass out and was in possession of a firearm he was not allowed to have.

According to court documents, Strawn was in possession of a  handgun after being convicted of misdemeanor in an Alpine County domestic dispute in 2021, which prohibited him from carrying a firearm.

Sentencing is set for April 17.

• A man faces up to 10 years in prison at sentencing after he admitted to three charges of assault with a deadly weapon.

Brenyon Tryee Lindsey, 23, was arrested on Oct. 28, 2022.

According to court documents, Lindsey was one of five people who came to Lake Tahoe where they planned to celebrate a birthday. Around noon, Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies responded to an active shooter call on Ridge Club Drive. Witnesses said Lindsey went out to a vehicle where there was a .45 handgun and kicked open the door holding the pistol. He discharged two rounds into the ceiling and pointed it at a member of the party, then fired twice more into the ceiling. During an investigation of the incident, deputies reported seeing the broken door frame and the bullet holes in the ceiling.

Sentencing is set for March 27.