Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Christmas not merry for all

It wasn't a merry and bright holiday season for everyone in Nevada County.

Two county men were arrested for terroristic threatening, and other charges in December, while a third was charged with burglary.

According to court records, Russell May was charged with residential burglary and theft of property in connection with items allegedly taken from a mobile home being used as a hunting club.

Court records state Trey Dehan, of Emmet, contacted the Nevada County Sheriff's Office, talking with deputy Larry Miller, about the burglary.

Dehan said the mobile home belonged to Martin Neal of Little Rock. Tim Griffin, records state, arrived and found a television and videocassette recorder missing from the trailer and told Dehan about it.

Dehan called Neal about the missing items.

May had allegedly contacted Dehan earlier in December saying he had Neal's permission to stay at the trailer.

Dehan called Neal, who said he'd told May he could stay a few years ago, but not recently.

May was later arrested. He admitted staying at the trailer a couple fo days, but denied taking anything. He said he drank beer and ate the food he found there, though, but the TV and VCR were there when he left.

Residential burglary is a class B felony, punishable by 5-20 years in prison and a fine up to $15,000. Theft of property is class C felony, with a possible sentence of three to 10 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.

Tommy Wells, 46, was charged with aggravated assault and terroristic threatening after allegedly running Eugene Cooper off the road.

Cooper told deputies with the NCSO he had been traveling east on Highway 24 about three miles out of Prescott and was starting to make a left turn into a driveway at the Cox residence.

However, records state, a vehicle driven by Wells reportedly struck Cooper's vehicle on the left side, causing it to run into a utility pole.

Wells then allegedly jumped out of his vehicle, ran over, grabbed Cooper by the throat and began choking him and threatening to kill him if Cooper didn't stop spreading rumors about him.

Wells also allegedly said he would tear Cooper's vehicle up if he found it parked.

Chris Tucker was with Cooper at the time, and reportedly said Wells threatened him with physical violence as well.

Aggravated assault and terroristic threatening are class D felonies, with a possible sentence of 6-10 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

A family disturbance led to the arrest of a 45-year-old Waldo man, who was charged with domestic battery in the third degree and terroristic threatening.

According to court records, Tonya Lee was met at the home of NCSO deputy Jackie Thomas by deputy Larry Miller concerning an altercation with her husband Ralph Lee at their home in Waldo.

She said because of her bad credit, the home the two shared was in his name. But, reports state, she asked him to leave and wanted a contract for the house.

Ralph Lee allegedly shoved Tonya Lee against a wall and began hitting her. She threatened to call the police, with him reportedly saying he would kill her if she did.

Tonya Lee reportedly told officers Ralph Lee frequently used drugs, had several weapons at the house and may also have marijuana there as well.

Ralph Lee has been charged with domestic battery and terroristic threatening. Both offenses are class D felonies, punishable by 6-10 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000