Trial set in domestic violence case

The survivor of an alleged domestic violence by strangulation dispute feared for her safety if Dylan Joseph Puleri was released before trial.

Puleri, pleaded not guilty to the allegation Monday in Douglas County District Court.

The victim said Puleri has attempted to call her from jail and has had other inmates message her and attempt to get in contact with her on his behalf.

“I truly fear for my life,” said the victim.

A trial is set for May 7.

• A man who failed to remain at the scene of an accident that caused bodily harm of a minor faces 20 years in prison.

Brian Michael Volmer, 61, hit a pedestrian while driving at the intersection of Kings Lane and Highway 395 on Oct. 16, 2022.

According to Volmer, he stopped to make sure the 15 year old was OK, before leaving the scene and failing to provide information or rendering assistance to the victim before paramedics could arrive.

Sentencing is set for May 20.

• A man who eluded police officers after he fled a drunken hit and run spoke directly to the victim during court Monday before being granted diversion. 

“I’m sorry for any inconveniences and damages I caused you, but thank you for the actions you took, it changed the direction of my life,” he said.

Thomas John Buyak, 48, was arrested Feb. 27, 2023, after a reported collision at Waterloo and Centerville Lanes.

According to deputies, Buyak was driving a black Jeep with California license plates, the other party in the collision said Buyak fled the scene without exchanging information.

The sheriff’s report said Buyak continued at 50 miles per hour through the Ranchos, pursuing through stop signs before being rammed off the road by a deputy at Arrowhead and Muir.

Deputy’s ordered Buyak out of the vehicle at gunpoint, but he refused. A deputy grabbed him and tried to pull him out, but Buyak tried to jerk his arm away, prompting the officer to punch him. After two more punches, Buyak blacked out and the deputy was able to handcuff him.

An open and nearly empty Twisted Tea was located in the vehicle within his reach. Buyak was taken to Carson Valley Medical Center where he received a CT scan and a blood draw was conducted, he was booked into jail.

He bailed out that night, according to jail records.

• A man who stole $650 worth of electronics and car batteries from Walmart received a suspended sentence Monday.

Richard Lee Rivera, 53, was arrested Sept. 9, 2019, in connection with a theft at the Gardnerville Walmart.

Rivera was accused of being part of a crew who took a shopping cart filled with batteries and other electronics including a 4k Blue Ray and a Samsung entertainment system out of the store in a 4:30 a.m. theft.

The crew were found by deputies at the Carson Valley Inn where they were originally arrested. Rivera was given an Oct. 21, 2019, court date but failed to appear. After Rivera committed a new burglary on Dec. 12, 2023, the warrant for his arrest from Douglas County caught up to him and he was brought back.

During sentencing, Rivera said he admitted to committing the crime, but he thought it was part of a grocery pick up job.

State attorney Bethany Towne argued that if that was the case, the crew would have checked in with the employees at Walmart or been able to provide proof of purchase, which they did not do either.

Rivera was sentenced to 12-30 months in prison and 80 days in Douglas County Jail. The sentence was suspended and he was granted 80 days credit.

• A man who backed a vehicle into a parking kiosk faces 1-5 years in prison.

Nathanial Bedell Loden, 34, was arrested July 30, 2023, after he backed a van in to parking kiosk at Harvey’s Hotel Casino at Stateline, causing over $19,000 in damage.

Sentencing is set for May 20, pending a presentence investigation. Loden is being held on a no bail order.