Valeriu Monchamp
A former youth soccer coach who admitted trying to lure a 14-year-old girl online was given probation with an underlying 2-5-year prison sentence
Valeriu Monchamp, 31, will spend six months in jail as a condition of probation.
Monchamp admitted in September that he contacted someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl and sought to meet her in person.
The case came to light when Monchamp reportedly messaged a 16-year-old earlier, sending her a photo of his genitals.
Attorney Joe Laub called five character witnesses, including Monchamp’s parents.
His mother said she agreed that the behavior was egregious but asked the court for leniency. His father said that the behavior was not part of a pattern.
“These actions do not reflect who he is at his core,” he said.
Laub said that Monchamp won’t be coaching youth anymore.
“He looks forward to getting back to helping the community,” he said.
Prosecutors were looking for 96 months in prison, but District Judge Tod Young said he surprised himself by ordering probation.
“I note that you made a great effort to commit this crime,” Young said.
Monchamp will be on probation for three years and must not contact minors. He will be required to register as a sex offender.
He was given credit for 18 days time served.
• A man who admitted disseminating intimate images of a woman he was in a relationship with was ordered to serve 26 weekends in jail as a condition of probation.
Jason Louis Farley received a suspended 18-48-month prison sentence for posting what prosecutor Ric Casper described as a collage of nude photos of the woman.
Attorney Joe Laub said Farley posted the images in anger and that he was undergoing counseling.
Casper said Farley told probation officers that he was angry and trying to hurt the victim. He described the photos as sexually explicit and now that they’re online, there’s no way to ensure they’ll be taken down.
Farley told the judge that he regretted posting the photos shortly after he posted them.
“You acted in a mean and selfish way,” District Judge Tod Young said in sentencing Farley.
• A man who claimed to miss court because he didn’t have a ride got one when he was returned to Douglas County Jail on a $25,000 warrant.
Joseph Philip Alas is facing a drug possession charge after missing several court dates, the last on July 9 when the warrant was issued.
Alas sought release from custody pending his arraignment, which was denied after prosecutor Chelsea Mazza argued that he’d missed court on multiple occasions.
He was ordered held pending a Nov. 12 arraignment.
• A Fresno, Calif., man accused of attempting to flee from deputies is denying the charges and has been scheduled for a Dec. 3-5 trial in Douglas County District Court.
Joseph Baird, 27, waived a preliminary hearing in East Fork Justice Court on Oct. 23.
Baird appeared in Douglas County District Court on Monday where he denied the charges against him.
Baird was chased into Nevada on Highway 395 just after midnight on Aug. 16 by California Highway Patrol and Mono County deputies.
According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, he was traveling at more than 100 mph when he entered the Silver State.
• A Dec. 20 preliminary hearing was set for a man accused of battering another inmate while awaiting trial on sexual assault charges.
Ryan Todd Nelson appeared in East Fork Justice Court on Oct. 23 where his attorney sought a delay until after a Jan. 6, 2025, trial date.
Prosecutor Chelsea Mazza objected, and Gilbert set the date for a preliminary hearing.
• A man who embezzled more than $10,000 was granted diversion on Oct. 28.
Raymond Allen Wheling was arrested Aug. 9, 2023, after he stole $10,912 from the Topaz Lodge where he was the manager.
If Wheling does not make the minimum payments toward the restitution he will serve 12-30 months in prison.
• Two possession of a controlled substance cases were granted diversion on Oct. 28.
Monique Annetoinette Cook was sentenced to a suspended 12-30 months and given credit for 6 days.
Richard Bryan Smith was sentenced to a suspended 12-30 months and given credit for three days.
