Latest news with #8NewsNow
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nevada on track to up DUI penalties to maximum 25 years in prison
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — An amended version of Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo's crime bill would increase the maximum amount of prison time for a DUI driver who kills to 25 years. As initially written, Senate Bill 457 would also change Nevada law to charge DUI drivers who kill with second-degree murder. A version of the bill amended Monday would increase Nevada's DUI-with-death penalty to a maximum of 25 years, an increase from the current 20 years. As written, Nevada's DUI-with-death law carries a potential prison sentence of 2-20 years. However, a bipartisan 1995 law requires a judge to sentence a person to a minimum and maximum sentence, meaning in cases of DUI with death, the maximum amount of time a defendant will spend in prison without a parole hearing is eight years. The 8 News Now Investigators have found most drivers who kill serve those eight years, not 20. Should Lombardo's bill pass as amended, a DUI driver who kills could serve the minimum two years in prison or up to 10 years before they are released or go before the parole board. In essence, the maximum-minimum amount of time to be served would become 10 years — a change from the current eight years. However, a driver could, in theory, serve all 25 years. A 10-to-25-year sentence aligns with the penalties for second-degree murder. If a DUI driver who kills has prior convictions, the minimum would be increased from two years to five years, the amendment said. Senate Bill 457 passed the Nevada Senate with the amendment in a 20-1 vote. Democratic State Sen. James Ohrenschall was the only dissenting vote. Senate Bill 304, which would amend the state's vehicular homicide law to include all DUIs involving death, appeared unlikely to pass Monday. The proposal would carry a possible sentence of 10 to 25 years or 10 to life, also the same as the state's second-degree murder statute. The legislative session ends at midnight Tuesday. Lawmakers will not reconvene, except for special circumstances at the request of the governor, until February 2027. Opponents of the governor's crime bill, including the ACLU of Nevada, warn that other components in it violate a person's constitutional rights. Since February, the 8 News Now Investigators have explored Nevada DUI laws, including the fact that lawmakers proposed no immediate changes after a DUI driver killed two state troopers investigating a second DUI driver. Nevada prosecutors, including the Clark County District Attorney's Office, have tried to charge DUI drivers who kill a person and who speed and who drive with no care for another person's life, with murder, but the Nevada Supreme Court has ruled the DUI with death law is more appropriate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Defendant in ‘Reba' dog death wants trial moved from Las Vegas due to media buzz
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A man accused of leaving a dog to die inside a sealed plastic tub in the summer heat wants his trial to happen outside of Las Vegas because of the intense media coverage, documents said. On July 26, 2024, Las Vegas Metro police officers found the English bulldog, later named 'Reba,' in the 1100 block of East Twain Avenue next to a dumpster inside a tote that was taped shut. The temperature that night hovered around 110 degrees. The National Weather Service reported a high of 111 for the evening. Reba died the next day. Her death made national headlines as people called for 'Justice for Reba.' Last December, police arrested Issac Laushaul Jr., 32; and Markeisha Foster, 30, on animal abuse charges. A grand jury later voted to indict them on similar charges. Laushaul and Foster's trial was scheduled to begin later this month, however, an attorney for Laushaul filed paperwork asking a judge to move the case from Clark County. 'The media has followed this case/story extensively,' Laushaul's attorney wrote in court documents filed May 16, citing 8 News Now's reporting. 'Media coverage has included photographs, articles all about 'Reba,' interviews with individuals who know the defendant, coverage of in-court proceedings, pending motions, comments by prosecutors, police, and defense attorneys, and interviews and analyses of veterinarians as to 'how this could have all happened.'' News coverage of Reba's death began in the months after Laushaul and Foster allegedly left her in the heat, as police released video footage of their suspects. The May 16 filing indicates Laushaul and his attorney believe they will be unable to find an impartial jury. [T]he media attention on this case began even prior to the location and arrests of the co-defendants,' Laushaul's attorney said. 'Since that time, the publicity surrounding the case has been sensational, constant and prejudicial. Media coverage has included front page pictures, feature stories, in-depth analyses about how the legislature should increase the penalties for animal-related crimes.' Prosecutors oppose the venue change, writing, 'The mere existence of publicity does not require a trial to be moved.' While not asking for a venue change, Foster's attorney asked the judge to sever her case from Laushaul's. Clark County District Court Judge Ron Israel was scheduled to hear arguments on both issues Wednesday. Before a trial, lawyers for the defendant and prosecutors go through a process called 'voir dire,' where they pick a jury. Each side can reject a certain number of potential jurors until the panel is filled. Foster and Laushaul remained in custody Friday. A judge previously set Foster's bail at $50,000 and declined to set bail for Laushaul. Nevada Republican Assem. Melissa Hardy proposed 'Reba's Bill' to strengthen penalties against animal abusers in the wake of Reba's death. The bill had not passed the Legislature as of Monday, the final day of the session. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Las Vegas couple ran $2B luxury car scheme, gambled last $10K in poker tournament: police
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A couple told investors they could net billions of dollars by selling luxury cars and boats to overseas buyers who police suspect never existed, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained. The revelations come from a 94-page arrest warrant for Jong Rhee, 45, and Neelufar Rhee, 34 — who Las Vegas Metro police took into custody on May 22. Each faces dozens of charges for allegedly persuading people to invest in the luxury items, saying 'the assets would be resold to overseas buyers at massive profit margins,' police said. However, detectives suspect no buyer ever existed. Jong Rhee allegedly promised investors that he could make money in the scheme to 'acquire high-value, exotic cars.' 'Wealthy clients in Singapore' would then buy the cars, delivering a $2.5 billion profit off of a $57 million investment because of that country's 'import restrictions,' police said. The couple conducted the alleged fraud scheme through two of their businesses: Twisted Twins Motorsports and Lusso Auto Spa, police said. State business records indicate that the Rhees are associated with businesses in Las Vegas and Henderson. Metro detectives suspect the couple netted $57 million 'for purchasing seven high-value motor vehicles by materially fraudulent misrepresentation,' documents said. In all, detectives list dozens of high-end and exotic cars and boats as part of the investigation, including models from Bugatti, Porsche and Rolls-Royce. One investor was allegedly promised a hefty return on an investment from the overseas purchases, documents said. Records show Jong Rhee 'never contacted anyone to sell [the vehicles in question] for $2 billion,' documents said. In one case involving a 2024 Rolls-Royce Spectre, Jong Rhee said he could receive $7.5 million for the vehicle with a value of $526,000, documents said. Another involving a $3.9 million boat involved a $13.5 million Singaporean purchase. Last July, Jong Rhee reportedly paid $60,000 for he and his wife to fly in a private plane to Missouri to go boating, documents said. The boat the pair and their friends rode on that weekend was supposed to be sold to 'Jong's overseas connection,' police said. Police also said the Rhees attempted to buy a bar and a home in Lake Havasu, Arizona, and traveled with an investor's money to California. In October, a judge signed off on a warrant to search the couple's $2 million Henderson home and businesses. As part of that search, police seized dozens of high-end cars. Detectives also obtained text messages between the couple, which they said made it 'evident that Jong and Neelufar were under intense pressure due to mounting debts, delayed payments, and unreliable business partners,' documents said. An April 2024 text from Jong Rhee involving outstanding payments on debts read: 'We r [sic] big trouble money,' according to police. Another text from Jong Rhee read, 'Right now, our lives are on the line.' The couple became 'so desperate for money' in 2024 that Jong Rhee bet their last $10,000 to gamble in the World Series of Poker, police said. 'Jong frequently gambled and played poker, especially when he and Neelufar struggled financially,' police said. 'He participated in tournaments similar to the World Series of Poker, which required significant buy-in amounts. Jong would often spend several days playing poker, further contributing to their financial distress. On July 8, 2024, while at a poker event, Jong told Neelufar, 'I don't think I've lost 99% 4 [sic] times in [my] whole life now 4 [sic] times in one month.' He believed that a big win would solve all of their money issues.' Both Rhees face 78 felony charges, including racketeering, money laundering, and forgery, records said. Based on redactions in court documents, it was not clear how many alleged victims were involved in the case. Both posted $100,000 bail, records said. They were not scheduled to return to court until June 9. Two other people, Crisfin Deguzman and John Baudhuin, also face charges connected to the case, records said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Las Vegas For Less: New All-Inclusive Summer Travel Packages
Las Vegas is one of the world's top tourism destinations, but that may suffer due to current ... More economic circumstances. All-inclusive resorts are all the rage in places like Mexico and the Dominican Republic, but pretty much unheard of in Las Vegas—until now. There has been a lot of concern in the travel industry over current consumer fears about inflation, tariffs, wild stock market swings and day-to-day uncertainty, which could lead travelers to start cutting back. At the same time, international travelers to the U.S. have been increasingly discouraged, and last year one in eight visitors to the city were from abroad. Las Vegas is especially sensitive to this kind of impact, and after many recent record years, things have started trending down, with a nearly 8% drop in visitor volume for March 2025 from March 2024. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority recently projected a 5% decrease in room taxes for 2025, and just the decline from Canadian tourists alone could cost the local economy more than $4 billion, according to local station 8 News Now. So, to woo worried visitors, one Downtown casino hotel rolled out what it claims is the city's only all-inclusive hotel room package last summer, and is about to bring it back, offering Las Vegas for less. Luxury travelers will not confuse the classic Plaza Hotel & Casino with the opulent suites of the Strip's shiniest Forbes 4 and 5-Star resorts, Wynn, Resorts World, Bellagio, Aria or the like. But those cutting back who are still looking to visit Las Vegas on a predictable and more affordable budget may be pleasantly surprised (I write frequently on LAs Vegas news and travel and recently covered the newest Las Vegas airport lounge opening here at Forbes). The world's largest casino when it opened, the Plaza has been recently renovated, with nearly 1000 ... More rooms and in its iconic glass dome, beloved Oscar's Steakhouse. Even in its recent record setting tourism years, it has often been possible to find bargain priced lodging in the city, where room rates swing radically based on conventions, concerts and sporting events in town, and likewise, it is often cheap to fly to Las Vegas. But no matter when you go, extras such as food, cocktails and entertainment often seem to run more than budgeted for, and these are the things many visit Las Vegas specifically to indulge (or over-indulge) in. There is also an overarching feeling of extras, with many properties imposing vague 'resort fees,' extra daily charges on top of the room rate, for things that have always traditionally been included in hotel rates until now, such as using the pool, while parking fees have become a sore subject here for many visitors. These are all issues the Plaza hopes to address with its new all-inclusive packages, re-launching in a couple of days, on June 1, and running all summer through the end of August, with eye-popping rates from $125. 'At a time when tourists are concerned about increasing costs in Las Vegas, including resort fees and paying to park, we wanted to give our guests a more affordable summer vacation option by again offering our all-inclusive hotel room package,' said Jonathan Jossel, Plaza CEO. The Plaza recently redid its extenisve rooftop pool deck—including cabanas, food truck and 13 ... More Pickleball courts The package includes overnight accommodations, breakfast and dinner daily from a choice of various dining outlets on property, and in the classic style of all-inclusive resorts worldwide, bottomless drinks from two venues, the Omaha Bar and the Sports Book Bar. The package also waives all usual resort fees, giving guests free access to the fitness center, rooftop pool, and parking. Perhaps most interesting at a time when some famous Vegas hotels have started charging an extra (and really annoying) fee for early check-in, even when rooms are available, ready and sitting vacant, they are also throwing that in. Inclusive dining options do not include the hotel's most famous eatery, high-end Oscar's Steakhouse, by former Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman. I have eaten at Oscar's and it is both excellent and a lot of fun, definitely in the upper tier of the city's many great steakhouses and set in a unique and historic domed glass domed structure. It is one of the top destination dining spots in all of Downtown. However, the package does include special discounted nightly Happy Hour appetizers and cocktails at Oscar's for those who still want to experience its vibrant atmosphere, and the included 'free' dining spots include ultra-popular Hash House a Go Go, a chain known for its Southern and farm-influenced comfort foods, served in very generous portions. In summer, the hotel also puts on an impressive fireworks show every Friday night. One of the most popular nearby attractions in Downtown Las Vegas is the unique outdoor Neon Museum. While on the 'boutique' size by Las Vegas casino mega-resort standards, The Plaza still has nearly a thousand rooms and would be a huge hotel in any other city. It sits in the heart of Downtown on pedestrianized Fremont Street, within walking distance of many other casinos, hotels and restaurants, including several standout independent chef-driven eateries that have helped fuel a Downtown revival. It is also convenient to popular Downtown attractions such as the Neon Museum and Mob Museum. Interestingly, The Plaza opened in 1971 as the largest casino in the world. After changing hands, it closed for renovations in 2010, and tens of millions have since been poured into the property, with Oscar's opening the next year. More recently, the hotel did a complete renovation of its rooftop pool complex, with new private cabanas, hot tub, and food truck. Oddly, the Plaza has its own rodeo arena, Downtown's only open-air equestrian facility, as well as one of the city's largest pickle ball complexes. Additional renovations of the building frontage along Fremont street added new indoor and outdoor drinking venues and was just completed last year. Given how self-contained every large casino resort in Vegas is, with endless dining, drinking and entertainment options, plus and vast pool and fitness facilities, the all-inclusive model actually makes a lot of sense here, especially if it is limited to certain outlets on property. I'm hoping the Plaza's concept will catch on and become a more widespread trend. The city has a long, rich history of tourism innovation, experimentation and remaking, and a rash of all-inclusive packages, especially on The Strip, could be just what visitors need to get what so many of them want: Las Vegas for less.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Las Vegas police sergeant could serve up to 10 years in prison on oppression, porn charges
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — A suspended Las Vegas Metro police sergeant has agreed to serve at least four years in prison — and as many as 10 — as part of a plea deal involving arrests on the Las Vegas Strip and the possession of child pornography, documents said. Metro police arrested Sgt. Kevin Menon, 43, in August. In his first case, the Clark County District Attorney's Office alleged Menon abused his power by creating fake scenarios that resulted in citizens, mainly Black men, being detained on the Las Vegas Strip, the 8 News Now Investigators first reported. When detectives investigating that case seized Menon's electronic devices, they said they found child sexual abuse material, also known as child pornography. This resulted in a second criminal case against Menon for child pornography-related charges. In his third case, Menon was accused of setting up recording devices in bathrooms in his home, prosecutors said. Natasha Menon and Tamara Russell, who live with Kevin Menon, have insisted they are not victims and submitted affidavits stating they were aware of the recordings. Menon agreed to a plea deal Wednesday following a settlement conference between his attorney, Robert Draskovich, and prosecutors. Menon agreed to plead guilty to charges including oppression under color of office, subornation of perjury, possession of child pornography and capturing an image of the private area of another person, the agreement said. As part of the agreement, Menon could serve up to 10 years in prison. He would become parole eligible after serving four years. Since August, Menon has been in and out of jail, meaning he earned credit for time served. A judge most recently increased his bail to $1 million. Menon will be sentenced on Aug. 4. In court documents, Menon claims he tried to expose racism within the police department and that it is retaliating against him. Investigators within the department believe Menon orchestrated fake arrests by instigating situations with the public without probable cause, documents said. In one case, Menon ordered the search of a car without any reason, police said. In another, the sergeant, who often worked in a plain clothes capacity, intentionally collided with a person on a pedestrian bridge, leading to their arrest, police investigators allege. After his initial arrest, the department placed Menon on leave with pay and suspended his police powers pending an investigation. The department has since stopped paying him, and it was unclear what his employment status would entail post-plea. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
