Woman accused of stealing needy children’s gifts loses pre-trial petition

By Cy Ryan

Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 | 2:12 p.m.

CARSON CITY -- A Las Vegas woman accused of stealing toys and gift cards collected as Christmas gifts for needy children has lost a pre-trial petition to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Vera Lopez operated "The House of Teens" and in 2009 and 2010 obtained toys and $10 WalMart gift cards from the Firefighters of Southern Nevada Burn Foundation.

Lopez received 2,400 toys in 2009 from the foundation to distribute to The Solid Rock Christian Church. Nicole Stocks, head of operations for the foundation, became suspicious and notified police.

Police conducted an undercover operation, recording the serial numbers on the toys and on the gift cards before giving them to Lopez.

Detectives said they went to the Christmas Party at "The House of Teens" and didn't see any toys being given away. They said they observed Lopez entering WalMart stores and using the gift cards to purchase personal items.

Lopez denies the allegations.

She was indicted on charges of obtaining money under false pretenses, theft, burglary and burglary with the assistance of a child.

Deputy Public Defender William Waters, in his 151 page petition to the Supreme, said the theft charge was dismissed and the case was granted a stay to permit further appeals.

Waters said the District Attorney's office then gained a second grand jury indictment, ignoring the order to halt the legal proceedings.

Waters argued in his brief that the district attorney was precluded from getting a second grand jury indictment while a court stay was in effect.

The Supreme Court said any consequences resulting from a violation of its stay order falls under the jurisdiction of District Judge Linda Marie Bell, adding "we are not inclined to intervene where there is no indications that the district court exceeded its jurisdiction."

The defense sought dismissal by the Supreme Court of the second indictment on grounds it had been improperly obtained while a stay was in effect.