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Tahoe crime recap: South lake man’s bail revoked after failed drug test

Amy Alonzo
aalonzo@recordcourier.com

The bail of a South Lake Tahoe man who admitted to multiple felony charges was revoked after he failed a drug test.

David J. Martinez, 33, admitted in Douglas County District Court on Tuesday to theft, fraudulent use of a credit card and possession of a controlled substance. Martinez entered a plea agreement — he will not seek diversion for any of the charges, but his sentences may run concurrently. His sentencing is set for May 2.

In July Martinez took five $100 chips from a blackjack dealer. He also took a purse from a woman playing roulette and used her credit cards to purchase more than $2,000 worth of items from the Lakeside Inn Casino. He was arrested in September after a deputy spotted him at the Lakeside Inn. At the time of his arrest Martinez had heroin, a prescription pill and paraphernalia on him.



Martinez missed a Monday drug test. Judge Tod Young on Tuesday ordered Martinez to test, and he failed.

Martinez told Young it had been 10 days since he last used. A law enforcement official said five days is more typical for opiates to stay in a user’s system. Martinez was remanded into custody.



In other Douglas County court news:

A Gardnerville Ranchos man accused of being part of a ski pass theft ring will head to trial in August after denying guilt.

Mark E. Graham, 21, denied charges of embezzlement, theft and possession of stolen property, all felony charges.

Graham and several other men are accused of stealing a combined more than 1,000 lift ticket vouchers from Heavenly Mountain Resort. He was arrested in July.

A South Lake Tahoe man who committed a burglary while high will attend Western Nevada Regional Drug Court.

Timothy D. Payne, 36, is addicted to methamphetamine, said defense attorney Maria Pence.

In December an acquaintance of Payne’s found a key to a room at the MontBleu Hotel. The two entered the room and took luggage, including an iPad. Payne was arrested a week later when he was spotted at the hotel.

In a verbal explanation to deputies following his arrest, Payne said he was helping a heroin addict carry the luggage and that he didn’t keep any of it.

Payne is currently in custody on other charges.

Treatment options are being sought for a transient South Lake Tahoe man with a longtime heroin addiction.

Louis W. Fiori, 32, was arrested in November at Harvey’s for trespassing. Heroin and two needles were found on him at the time.

Fiori has been a heroin addict since he was 13, Pence said. He is currently incarcerated and “this is the longest he’s been sober … since the age of 15,” Pence said.

His sentencing was continued until June 6 so that long-term, intensive treatment options can be researched.


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