Fernley woman accused of forging checks

A 26-year-old Fernley woman appeared Thursday in Justice Court on 12 felony counts stemming from allegedly forging checks, using another person’s debit card and burglary.

Lacey Habberstad appeared for the arraignment after she turned herself in Tuesday to custody of the Churchill County Jail.

She is charged with three counts of burglary, three counts of uttering a forged instrument, four counts of fraudulent use of a debit card and one count each for grand larceny by unlawful use of a card, less than $3,500, and obtaining a signature by false pretenses.

According to court documents, Habberstad’s suspected crime spree was between July 3 and Aug. 6. Records indicate she forged checks from Honea Insurance Services, Inc., and attempted to cash them at Stockman’s Casino.

In addition, Habberstad is accused of using Shawna Honea’s signature stamp to validate the checks before cashing them and using Honea’s debit card to obtain money. Habberstad is also accused of withdrawing $1,112 from a bank account belonging to Honea.

Habbertad’s attorney, Jesse Kalter of Reno, asked for his client to be released as this is Habberstad’s first arrest. In addition, Kalter said she has cooperated with the District Attorney’s office to the point they asked her to stop calling about when she would be charged.

Deputy DA Michael Winn, though, objected to a release and said the crimes are serious and “some amount of bail” should be set.

Habberstad’s bond was reduced to $5,000 from $60,000 and is scheduled for a status hearing on Oct. 16.

In other court news —

David Michael Russo pleaded guilty Tuesday in District Court to one count of possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance for sale.

He was arrested on Aug. 1 for possessing marijuana plants, which he intended to sell.

Russo faces one to four years in prison, but is eligible for probation. He will be sentenced Nov. 18.

Arron Levi Carr of California pleaded guilty Tuesday in District Court to one count of possession of a schedule I or II controlled substance for sale.

He was arrested Dec. 24, 2012, in possession of marijuana for sale. He will be sentenced Nov. 18.