Crime Corner, Sept. 9

Local man hospitalized under psychiatric care fights with deputies

A local man is facing preliminary felony charges after allegedly fighting with deputies at Desert View Hospital on Saturday.

Nye County Sheriff's Office officials said the man, Harry Brooks, stated he wanted to die and "will fight if anyone makes him do anything."

Brooks was placed on what's known as a Legal 2000 hold, which allows authorities to hold someone for 72 hours who may be a danger to himself or others.

While escorting Brooks to undergo a CAT scan, Brooks allegedly lunged from his hospital bed and grabbed for a detective's gun while yelling "shoot me."

According to the arrest report, once the detective secured his firearm, a deputy sheriff tazed Brooks, who was then placed in handcuffs but continued to be aggressive to police, while kicking and shifting his body and refusing to cooperate.

As a result, deputies summoned Undersheriff Brent Moody who, after arrival, was allegedly spit upon by Brooks, who told Moody he had Hepatitis C.

Brooks was then transported to the Nye County Detention Center.

While en route, deputies said Brooks kicked the window of the patrol car causing the window to become unhinged from its frame.

Deputies also said Brooks pulled apart wires from the backseat of the vehicle causing additional damage.

The report also states the detective's gun holster and belt were damaged.

Brooks faces preliminary charges battery by a prisoner, destruction of property and resisting. Bail was set at $8,140.

Man faces domestic battery, second degree kidnapping and burglary

Richard Gomez was arrested last Tuesday on preliminary felony domestic battery, burglary and second degree kidnapping after deputies were called to investigate a physical domestic battery in progress.

Upon arrival, a Nye County Sheriff's deputy observed a female lying on the ground near a vehicle with several items strewn around her.

The deputy noted the woman was yelling "I don't have the key," to a male identified as Gomez inside the vehicle.

Deputies said Gomez, who was in the driver's seat of the vehicle, had to be told several times to exit the vehicle before he complied and began walking to the deputy where he was placed in handcuffs for the deputy's safety.

While speaking to the woman, the deputy also noticed one of the items near her was a broken glass bottle.

The woman told deputies that Gomez, her live-in boyfriend, was taking her back home when an argument about a key began.

According to the arrest report, Gomez, at one point, exited the vehicle, opened the passenger door and allegedly dragged her from the vehicle and threw her to the ground, while kicking her in the head several times.

The report also said Gomez allegedly threw the glass bottle at her head.

After calling for an ambulance, the report noted medics could feel bumps on the woman's head where she was allegedly kicked by Gomez, who denied kicking the woman.

Gomez, according to deputies, said the woman simply fell and he was only kicking the items away from her.

At least two witnesses told deputies that Gomez forcefully dragged the woman from the passenger side of the vehicle and threw her to the ground where he began kicking the woman several times.

Gomez was transported to the Nye County Detention Center where he was booked.

Bail was set at $58,000.

Suspicious vehicle investigation lands man in jail

A Nye County Sheriff's deputy investigating a suspicious circumstance nabbed John Kennedy Jr. Ming last Wednesday on preliminary drug paraphernalia charges.

The deputy was driving along the 1700 block of South Pahrump Valley Boulevard just after 11 p.m. for a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at a 1750 address.

The older model yellow vehicle, occupied by two individuals, had been parked at that location for roughly an hour.

Upon making contact, the deputy spoke to Ming and another female individual to check if they needed assistance.

While speaking to Ming, the deputy noticed behavior associated with drug use, as well as a piece of tin foil in his hand.

Ming also had a red straw in his lap, which the deputy noted is used to smoke narcotics.

Ming, who was then told to exit the vehicle, was unsteady and slow according to the deputy.

Additionally, the deputy noticed a slow speech pattern and constricted pupils, which is normally a sign of drug use.

After speaking to the other occupant, the deputy learned that Ming had a heroin addiction.

When asked the last time he used heroin, Ming told the deputy it was a day prior.

Ming submitted to a urinalysis which revealed the presence of illicit drugs including methamphetamine, marijuana and opiates.

Ming was booked into the Nye County Detention Center and his bail was set at $5,640.