Carson City deputies arrest pair after drugs found in car reported stolen from deaf couple

Two were arrested Sunday for felony and misdemeanor charges after a traffic stop led to the discovery that the vehicle stopped not only had drugs and paraphernalia inside but had been reported stolen, a Carson City sheriff's deputy report said.

Eric Shawn Miller, 45, and Katrina Christensen, 29, were arrested at 8:43 p.m. Miller was booked for alleged possession of stolen property, and two counts possession of a controlled substance, both felonies, 7 counts gross misdemeanor possession of dangerous drugs without a prescription, four counts possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with fictitious plates and driving without a front license plate.

Christensen was booked for suspicion of 2 felony counts possession of a controlled substance, 7 counts gross misdemeanor possession of a dangerous drug without a prescription and four counts misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the arrest report, a deputy made a traffic stop on a vehicle without a front license plate. The deputy also observed the front passenger in the vehicle slumped over. The driver, Miller, was asked to provide license, registration and insurance. The woman, stilled slumped over, was responsive but lethargic, the report states.

The man said he was taking the woman to the hospital because she had a high fever. The deputy advised the two they had passed the hospital. The man said they were then going to get a room at a motel and then go to the hospital, the arrest report states.

The deputy spoke with the woman and she stated she did not need any medical attention. Miller was asked if the vehicle could be searched. The man stated the vehicle wasn't his. The deputy advised if he is in possession of a vehicle that he can give permission for consent to search. Miller gave consent, the report states.

During the search deputies located suspected heroin and paraphernalia in the right front passenger seat of the vehicle. Deputies also located two clear bags with a suspected methamphetamine, multiple prescription bottles with different pills with none labeled for the two. Also located were five tin cups containing cotton balls with heroin residue, latex IV straps, unused cotton balls and butane lighter and a clear glass pipe. The items were submitted to the crime lab for testing.

Also located were multiple cell phones and laptop computers. The items were checked through dispatch to see if they were stolen. The items returned clear, the report states.

Miller was read his Miranda rights and agreed to answer questions. He was asked about the items found in the vehicle. He stated the drugs in the vehicle were not his. The officer notes in the report that he never asked him about drugs. Miller denied ownership of any of the items found in the vehicle and said he borrowed it from a friend.

He did not provide the friend's name. The officer made contact with the woman and read her the Miranda warning and she agreed to speak. She said the heroin, methamphetamine and prescription pills found inside the vehicle were not hers. Both were taken into custody.

A deputy ran the VIN number on the vehicle through dispatch and it returned stolen. Deputies returned to Miller and reminded him of his Miranda warning. He agreed to speak and stated he received the vehicle from the woman. He said he did not know it was stolen. The deputy then made contact with the woman, reminded her of her Miranda rights. She said she received the vehicle from an ex-boyfriend and did not know it was stolen, the report states.

Deputies then made contact with the registered owner of the vehicle via telephone. The vehicle owner and his wife are both deaf and the officer communicated with them through a translator, the report states. The vehicle owner stated the vehicle was stolen from his home along with another vehicle and that they reported the vehicles stolen to the Reno Police Department, the report states.

The two suspects were booked into Carson City Jail on the charges. Total bail amount listed for Miller: $31,237. Total bail amount listed for Christensen: $6,013.

In other arrests:
— A 72-year-old Carson City man was arrested Saturday, 9:58 p.m. in the area of North Lompa and College Parkway for misdemeanor suspicion of DUI and following too close.

According to the arrest report, deputies were called to a vehicle accident. While on their way to the scene dispatch advised one of the subjects involved was possibly intoxicated.

Deputies met with the suspected intoxicated driver, who had red watery eyes, slurred speech and had an odor of alcohol on his breath. He was asked if he had consumed any alcoholic beverage. The man said he had five beers. The man was asked if he would submit to field sobriety tests. He agreed and showed signs of impairment.

He provided a preliminary breath test with a result of .401, the arrest report states. He was arrested and taken to the hospital due to the high level of alcohol. While at the hospital, two vials of blood were drawn.

Deputies spoke with the driver who was rear ended by the suspect. The victim stated after he hit their vehicle he stumbled out of his vehicle.

The suspected drunk driver was later booked into jail. He was read his Miranda warning and agreed to speak. He said he was behind a vehicle at a stop light. He stated the light turned green and the vehicle in front of him did not move. He stated since they wouldn't moved, he bumped into them, the report states. Bail: $1,269.

— A 20-year-old Carson City man was arrested Sunday, 2:01 a.m. at John Mankins Park for a misdemeanor warrant issued out of Douglas County. Bail: $298.

— A 29-year-old Carson City man was arrested Sunday, 6:55 p.m. in the 300 block of David Street for a misdemeanor failure to appear warrant issued July 10, 2019 out of Carson City Justice Court. Bail: $3,000.

— A 54-year-old Carson City man was arrested Sunday, 8:29 p.m. in the area of 10th and Curry streets for a misdemeanor contempt of court warrant issued July 16, 2019 out of Carson City Justice Court. Bail: $500.

— A 45-year-old Carson City man as arrested Sunday, 3:23 p.m. in the 1900 block of Long Street for a misdemeanor failure to appear warrant issued March 14, 2019 out of Argenta Justice Court. Bail: $420.

All information for the crime log (unless otherwise noted) comes from the arrest reports supplied by the Carson City Sheriff's Office, and is considered by law to be public information. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The policy of Carson Now is to name anyone who is arrested for a felony offense.