McGilton admits in court to Grimes Point graffiti

A Fallon man admitted Tuesday in District Court to vandalizing the historical landmark Grimes Point.

Justin Wayne McGilton entered his guilty plea on one count of placing graffiti on or otherwise defacing a protected site.

McGilton’s attorney, Jacob Sommer, said his client did use spray paint to graffiti Grimes Point on Feb. 25. In addition, Sommer said McGliton “deeply, deeply” regrets the incident, which was fueled by alcohol.

McGliton, though, was released on his own recognizance, although he must report to Court Services for random testing.

The felony charge carries a penalty of one to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine. By law, it also carries a mandatory sentence of 10 days in jail, a fine between $400-$1,000, 100 hours of community service to abate the graffiti and a suspension of a driver’s license between six months to two years.

McGliton will be sentenced Jan. 6.

In addition, six other suspects have been arrested and face charges stemming from the vandalism at Grimes Point along with McGilton.

William McHaney, Jazzmend Crabtree, Scotti Jenkins, Sean O’Brien and one juvenile have been arrested in connection with the vandalism.

Jenkins, O’Brien and McHaney are each charged with placing graffiti or otherwise defacing a protected site. Crabtree, through, was charged with petty larceny, a misdemeanor.

In other court news —

Michael Jacob Casey pleaded guilty Tuesday in District Court to two counts of battery by a prisoner in custody.

He admitted to striking two Churchill County Sheriff’s deputies on Aug. 5. Casey said he was confined to the padded cell, suffered a panic attack and struck the deputies when he was being removed from the cell.

Each count carries a penalty of one to six years in prison. Casey’s sentencing date was not immediately scheduled.

Lacey Loraine Habberstad pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement of more than $3,500.

Her attorney, Jesse Kalter of Sparks, said Habberstad did convert more than $5,000 from her employer for her own personal use. According to court records, Habberstad took $5,053.

She faces one to 10 years in prison with a fine up to $10,000 plus restitution. However, according to the plea agreement, if Habberstad pays at least $3,000 in restitution in the next six months, the District Attorney’s office will recommend probation at her May 5 sentencing hearing.