Crime Corner, March 11

Man charged with domestic battery, probation violation

Christopher Sparks was jailed on March 5 and charged with domestic battery, third offense and a probation violation after deputies received a report of a domestic violence call at the front office of the Nye County Sheriff’s Office.

The victim’s parents reportedly told deputies that their daughter had been physically assaulted on Feb. 28 by her husband, and they had photographs of the injuries. The pictures reportedly showed the victim with multiple bruises on her arms, a black eye and a broken blood vessel in an eye. The reporting party explained that the victim’s child allegedly told them that “his dad hit his mom.”

Deputies made contact with the victim at her parent’s home. When questioned, the victim said she tripped over her dog and fell. The victim then reportedly told deputies that she was grabbed and pushed into the corner of the door jamb. The victim told deputies that they were arguing on March 1 which led to Sparks getting upset with her and pushing her.

Deputies observed that the victim had injuries to both eyes which deputies noted were consistent with being pushed into a door jamb.

Sparks was located at his employer’s address and deputies ran a check on him which returned with two prior convictions in 2013. Deputies notified his probation officer who reportedly advised the deputies to place a parole and probation hold on Sparks.

Sparks denied hitting the victim and reportedly stated that she tripped over the dog.

Sparks was subsequently arrested and transported to the detention center and booked on charges of domestic battery – third and parole and probation violation.

Man arrested for grand larceny

John Tony Whitesell was jailed on March 5 and charged with grand larceny after deputies with the Nye County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a victim in an ongoing case involving a stolen necklace that had a purported value of $10,000.

The victim told deputies that the suspect in the theft, identified as Whitesell, told her he would attempt to get the diamond necklace back if she would give him a ride to Las Vegas. Whitesell allegedly told the victim that he had his friend pawn the necklace.

Deputies reportedly told the victim to keep them posted during the process of trying to retrieve the necklace.

The victim sent several texts during the trip to Las Vegas, including one with a photo of the store where the necklace was allegedly pawned.

Whitesell allegedly told the victim that he was unable to retrieve the necklace because he did not have any identification or the pawn ticket.

The victim sent another text notifying deputies of the location she dropped Whitesell at and they subsequently made contact in the area of Highway 160 and Winery Road.

Whitesell was subsequently arrested and transported to the Nye County Detention Center and booked on the charge of grand larceny.

This report was compiled from Nye County Sheriff’s Office arrest reports by reporter Michelle Hermann, michelle.pvtimes@gmail.com.