Former outreach Coordinator to plead in alleged extortion case

Carson City's former Community Outreach Coordinator waived a preliminary hearing Wednesday and is expected to plead guilty to two misdemeanor charges in connection with his October arrest for extortion and robbery.

Javier Ramirez, whose legal name is Ramiro Javier Ramirez-Aleman, appeared briefly in Carson City Justice Court.

Assistant District Attorney Gerald Gardner announced that Ramirez agreed to plead guilty to gross misdemeanor attempted larceny and gross misdemeanor malicious destruction of property.

"If it's found that he has no criminal history, we'll recommend probation," Gardner said.

Ramirez declined to comment after the hearing.

Ramirez, the outreach and block grant coordinator for the city since 2006, was arrested Oct. 22 in a sting operation the Carson City Sheriff's Department set up between him and the 19-year-old woman who claimed Ramirez harassed her for two years to repay a $3,000 loan.

According to Detective Craig Lowe, Ramirez stole the victim's purse, refused to return it until she gave him money, and slashed her tires.

Gardner said that after an extensive independent investigation, he decided to offer a plea deal.

"We honestly believe that the charges we are going to file in District Court reflect pretty accurately what he did and that's what he's going to plead to," said Gardner.

Ramirez will appear in District Court on Jan. 26.

- Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.