Crime Corner, Oct. 22

Man arrested for drugs, alcohol

Kevin Caleb Heier was arrested and jailed by Nevada Highway Patrol on Oct.15 and charged with driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol — first offense, possession of a controlled substance — marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and basic speed more than 21 miles per hour over the speed limit.

According to the arrest report, Heier was observed driving a vehicle at a high rate of speed on Highway 160 approaching State Route 372 at approximately 4:45 p.m..

Troopers subsequently stopped the vehicle and made contact with Heier, and reportedly smelled a strong odor of an unknown intoxicating beverage coming from inside the vehicle as well as the suspected smell of burned marijuana.

When troopers inquired as to how much marijuana Heier had in the vehicle, he produced a small black container with a pipe inside as well as a clear plastic bag with suspected marijuana inside.

According to the report, when troopers asked Heier how much he had to drink, he said he consumed two beers approximately 30 minutes prior to the traffic stop.

Heier reportedly performed the standard field sobriety test unsatisfactorily. The arrest report stated no breath test was given because they had not been issued a device. However, evidentiary blood was drawn at Desert View Hospital under the state’s Implied Consent law.

Heier was booked into the Nye County Jail in Pahrump.

Woman arrested for drugs

Laura Ann Creighton was arrested on Oct. 15 after Nye County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant at a North Leslie Road residence.

Creighton, the target of the search warrant, was charged with possession of a schedule one controlled substance — methamphetamine, under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana less than one ounce.

According to the arrest report, deputies made contact with Creighton in the driveway of her residence at 5:34 p.m.

The search revealed a clear plastic baggie of suspected marijuana along with another clear plastic baggie of suspected methamphetamine in the bedroom.

Additionally, deputies found a number of items commonly used for the ingestion of illegal substances.

When deputies asked Creighton when she last used narcotics she reportedly admitted that she had used the day of the search.

A blood sample was obtained from Creighton under the warrant prior to being booked into the Nye County Detention Center in Pahrump.

Woman arrested for burglary

Susan Schaefer was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with uttering a forged instrument, burglary and obtaining money under false pretenses after passing a bad check at the Gold Town Casino two weeks ago.

According to the arrest report, - Nye County Sheriff’s deputy was called to the Pahrump Nugget Hotel and Casino at approximately 10:57 a.m. on a report of fraud.

When deputies spoke with the reporting party, she reportedly advised them that a woman, identified as Wendy Welbourn had cashed a check at the Gold Town Casino two weeks prior. However, it was discovered that Welbourn and Schaefer are the same person.

Schaefer reportedly cashed the check and obtained $300 from that transaction but the check bounced.

The reporting party reportedly told deputies that on Friday morning at approximately 6 a.m., Schaefer attempted to cash another check but that the newly installed check recognition software reported the check as bad.

Schaefer was not given any money and left the establishment.

Deputies obtained copies of both checks and noted they looked exactly the same except for different bank logos.

When deputies made contact with the respective banks, they learned that the names on the checks did not match the account holders and that several other checks were passed at Pahrump Rentals with the same account information. Deputies subsequently made contact with Pahrump Rentals and learned Pahrump Rentals had made several reports of the suspected fraudulent checks to the sheriff’s office.

Additionally, deputies learned that one of the checks was cashed at Pahrump Rentals with the name Alexander Waller and deputies obtained the address listed on the checks.

Deputies made contact with both Waller and the 42-year-old Schaefer at their residence on South Homestead Road.

When questioned, Schaefer reportedly explained she used her sister’s driver’s license to cash the checks. Schaefer reportedly told deputies she received the checks from someone with the name of Kim but could not provide a last name.

Schaefer claimed that Waller had no knowledge of the fraudulent checks and he was simply cashing them at Schaefer’s request. Deputies subsequently released Waller.

Deputies noted in the declaration of arrest that while enroute to the jail, Schaefer reportedly stated she had a feeling the checks were bad because Kim had described the situation as a “hustle.”

Compiled by Michelle Hermann, Special to the Pahrump Valley Times