Fallon man pleads guilty to Rattlesnake Raceway break-in

A break-in sometime during a mid-October night caused thousands of dollars of damage at the Rattlesnake Raceway northeast of Fallon.

According to a spokesman, vandals entered the raceway, which is three miles northeast of Fallon, and smashed many windows in the tower where race officials normally watch the race cars circle the oval track and also broke into storage buildings.

A reward was offered for the arrest of the individual or individuals who did the damage.

A Fallon man pleaded guilty on Tuesday in the Tenth Judicial District Court for breaking into Rattlesnake Raceway on Oct. 16 and causing more than $3,000 in damage.

Brandon Lee Heckathorn was charged with one count of injury to property $250 to $5,000, a gross misdemeanor, according to Nevada Revised Statutes.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Mills Lane said Heckathorn is already under a suspended sentence from Justice Court for joy riding in one of the construction cranes at the middle school.

Judge Thomas Stockard ordered Heckathorn to 364 days to the Churchill County Jail and fined him $2,000; however, Stockard suspended the sentence and gave Heckathorn probation with the stipulations he does not use alcohol or controlled substances, does not enter the raceway’s property and makes restitution as determined by the parole and probation.

According to a plea agreement, Heckathorn would be required to pay $3,500 in restitution.

Mills said the investigation is ongoing and other individuals may also be involved. He did not elaborate any further.

In other court news ...

Sean Charles Ridenour pleaded guilty to one count of offer, attempt or commission of an unauthorized act relating to a controlled or counterfeit substance, a Category B felony.

On July 17, 2015 according to court documents, Ridenour sold methamphetamine to a confidential informant.

The charge carries a one to six year prison term and a fine not to exceed $20,000. Sentencing will be held in March.

Jonathan David Smith pleaded guilty to one count of attempt to commit grand larceny of personal goods or property with a value in excess of $650 but less than $3,500, a Category D felony or a gross misdemeanor.

On June 28, 2015, Smith attempted to take and carry away tools belonging to another individual with a value between $650-$3,500.

A felony charge carries a prison sentence of one to four years and a fine not to exceed $5,000. A gross misdemeanor charge is up to 364 days in county jail and a fine not to exceed $2,000.

Sentencing will be in March.

Thomas Edward Summerbell Sr. pleaded guilty to one count of attempt or commission of an unauthorized act relating to a controlled or counterfeit substance, a Category B felony

Summerbell transported a schedule I controlled substance, methamphetamine, on Sept. 20. The charge carries a one to six year prison term and a fine not to exceed $20,000.

Stockard reduced Summerbell’s bail to $10,000.

Sentencing is set for March.