An Ely man is spending the holidays in jail and facing the wrath of an elderly woman when he gets out after allegedly “borrowing” her prized guitar and selling it.
Zachary Peters-Mullens spent Christmas in the White Pine County Jail and may also ring in the New Year behind bars on a $20,000 bail on one count each of home invasion, grand larceny and exploitation of an elderly person.
According to the White Pine County Sheriff’s office Peters-Mullins allegedly thought he could score some quick cash by selling his grandmother’s prize guitar he ‘borrowed’ earlier this month.
When the Ely grandmother found out her property missing, she confronted her grandson he said he lent it to a friend and would retrieve it. According to the sheriff’s office the guitar did indeed change hands but for profit and not a jam session.
Peters-Mullins broke into his friends house but the guitar had already been sold and his friend called the police.
“Hopefully he will learn his lesson,” said a White Pine Deputy. “If spending the week in jail over christmas and New Years doesn’t do it, maybe having to face his very upset grandmother when he gets out will.”
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Elder abuse is a relatively new catagory of laws on Nevada’s books. Under Nevada law, elder abuse is much more than causing physical harm to an older person. Those who exploit, isolate or neglect an elder for which they provide care for may be convicted of elder abuse. An elder in Nevada is defined as someone over the age of 60.
The penalty for elder abuse in Nevada depends on the type of abuse with which the suspect is charged. However, regardless of the type of abuse, those convicted of elder abuse in Nevada face double the prison sentence they normally would for the same crime committed against a non-elderly person.
Peters faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
