by Kurt Hildebrand / Record-Courier | Jun 23, 2025 | Uncategorized
A man who recorded himself taking advantage of a woman who blacked out was sentenced to a maximum of 8-20 years on June 16.
Anthony Joel Arbis, 24, is already serving a 4-10-year sentence in California for taking pictures under women’s skirts.
It was the seizure of Arbis’ electronic devices as part of the investigation into the peeping case that resulted in an attempted sexual assault charge in Douglas County.
The survivor of the assault testified that she wasn’t aware she had been molested until authorities arrested Arbis and seized his electronic devices.
Attorney Mary Brown asked that Arbis’ sentence run simultaneously with his time in California.
Prosecutor Chelsea Mazza argued for consecutive terms, which was supported by the survivor.
Mazza said during interviews with police in California “he described himself as perverse.”
She said the victim was out with friends she trusted, and that Arbis took advantage of an unconscious woman.
Arbis acknowledged he violated the woman’s trust. The two were in a two-year relationship prior to the incident and were at Lake Tahoe to celebrate a relative’s engagement.
He said he would seek treatment where he could and that he hopped someday the woman would accept his apology.
“I still have purpose in my life,” he said.
The survivor said the last thing she remembered was getting into an elevator with Arbis after throwing up in the bar.
When she woke up the next morning she was in her pajamas, and she said she apologized to Arbis and thanked him for caring for her while unconscious.
She learned what happened at a family wedding when she asked Arbis why he was arrested. She testified he sat her down and told her he recorded himself assaulting her.
“I had no idea everyone else knew,” she said. “Most days I feel I can’t catch a break personally or professionally. I have to live with that, and so should he. Please let it end with me. He’s not sorry for what he did. He’s sorry he got caught.”
In addition to adding 8-20 years to any sentence he’s currently serving, Arbis is subject to lifetime registration as a sex offender.
by Kurt Hildebrand / Record-Courier | Jun 20, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Conner fire burning in the Pine Nuts east of Gardnerville is estimated to have grown to 2,000-2,500 acres, according to the incident command located at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
An aircraft was dropping fire retardant on the fire as a firefighting helicopter flew buckets of water to the area east of Out R Way in the Pine Nut foothills.
The Conner Fire is named after the street where a 1:30 a.m. structure fire claimed two homes along the west edge of Pine View Estates. By 4 a.m. the fire spread into the old Numbers Burn and was burning north.
At firefighters’ request, NV energy shut power to 62 customers around 9:41 a.m. Most of those are located in Pine View Estates but there are a dozen scattered through the Pine Nut foothills.
A red flag warning is in effect through midnight tonight for gusty winds and low humidity, contributing to fire spread.
As of 10 a.m., authorities were closing Pine Nut 2 and Out R Way between Ruhenstroth and Fish Springs as winds gusting to 23 mph pushed the flames north.
“New evacuation orders have been issued for Pine Nut Road from Dump Road to Out R Way due to increased fire activity,” according to Douglas County.
“Reverse 911 notifications are being issued to alert residents in the affected zones,” said Douglas County spokesman Eric Cachinero. “All individuals in evacuation areas should leave immediately and follow instructions from emergency personnel. Do not delay evacuation to gather belongings.”
Cachinero directed evacuees to the Douglas County Community & Senior Center in Gardnerville during the day.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue has been working the barricades and reported a couple of people claiming to be residents drove past them.
The Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch reports state and federal resources have responded to the fire.
Fire engines and brush trucks responded to the blaze. Members of Tahoe Douglas Zephyr hand crew were staged along Pine Nut 2.
The incident command for the fire is at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.
Reno Fire is sending two engines to the fire and additional resources are being sought from Truckee Meadows.
