Man to face trial for mail theft

A Carson City man will be tried on charges related to mail theft, a judge determined Friday.

Justice of the Peace Robey Willis found there was enough evidence to try David Scott Killen, 23, on the charge of opening and reading sealed letters. Assistant District Attorney Gerald Gardner said an investigation is continuing into felony charges of conspiracy and attempting to commit identity theft.

Killen, Dylan Gregory, 22, and Tristan Ledford, 19, were arrested Dec. 9 after a homeowner reported to police that he'd heard his mailbox opening at 2:30 a.m. and when he went outside he saw a vehicle driving away.

The man said he followed the vehicle and witnessed the passenger jump in and out of the car and rifle through mailboxes each time the car would stop. When police pulled the vehicle over, Killen was at the wheel, and Gregory and Ledford were passengers.

Mail allegedly found inside the vehicle and statements made after their arrests indicated the trio was looking for credit card applications and holiday cards containing money.

Killen is awaiting a Jan. 29 sentencing for a February 2007 shooting spree in which he shot out the windows of a number of businesses from South Lake Tahoe to Carson City and Gardnerville.

Gregory pleaded to two counts of gross misdemeanor opening, reading or publishing a sealed letter or telegram. He will be sentenced Tuesday.

No charges have been filed against Ledford in Carson City. He testified against Killen in Friday's hearing.

A case for federal charges against the three has been forwarded to the U.S. Attorney's Office by the postal inspector.