Fallon man who beat girlfriend sentenced to prison

A Fallon man who inflicted a savage beating on his former girlfriend will spend up to the next five years in prison.

James Edwin Buff was sentenced to two to five years in prison Tuesday in District Court for battery constituting domestic violence, a third offense.

Buff, who pleaded guilty earlier this year, received the prison term after the court heard testimony from the victim.

As the victim took the witness stand, her hands shook uncontrollably as she faced her former boyfriend who has beaten her numerous times during their three-year relationship.

On the night in question, Jan. 10, Churchill County Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford said Buff pummeled the victim with a series of punches and broke her jaw.

Upon the victim’s arrival at the hospital, she didn’t disclose the truth to the staff for fear of retaliation.

In the next week, investigators discovered the nature of her injuries and arrested Buff.

The victim suffered a broken jaw, had permanent metal plates surgically placed along her jawline, sustained nerve damage and piled up a $34,000 hospital bill. Sanford said the victim had to consume her food through a straw for one month in addition to psychological damage suffered from continuous years of abuse.

The victim, meanwhile, told the court she had to make up stories of her injuries to friends and coworkers over the past several years.

In addition, she said the first incident of abuse ended with four staples in her head.

Buff’s attorney, John Oakes, said his client’s alcohol problems are the root of the domestic issues.

Nevertheless, Buff was sentenced to prison and must also pay $34,000 in restitution.

In other court news —

A Fallon man pleaded guilty Tuesday in District Court to four felony counts stemming from a May 18 crime spree.

Justin John Daniels faces up to 25 years in prison for two counts of burglary — with one count for auto burglary — grand larceny of a motor vehicle with a value less than $3,500 and possessing instruments with burglarious intent.

The possession charge, however, is a gross misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 364 days in the Churchill County Jail.

According to the criminal complaint, Daniels stole trucks belonging to Jonathan Bense and Mori Meats.

He stole two Chevy trucks, entered a conex (shipping) box with the intent to commit petit larceny and possessed a screwdriver, wire cutters and a handheld hack saw with the intent to use in a crime.

Both burglary counts carry prison terms of one to 10 years, while the grand larceny is punishable by one to five years, although Daniels is eligible for probation. He will be sentenced Oct. 27.

A Fallon woman with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced up to 14 years in prison on three felony counts.

Liesl Suzanne Hale entered the pleas to one count each of burglary, fraudulent use of a credit/debit card and unauthorized signature of a credit/debit card.

According to Deputy DA Brandon Gardner, Hale broke into Humboldt Shredders, stole a credit and debit card to purchase numerous items.

She has nine prior felony convictions and has served more than 23 years in prison, Gardner added.

Hale was originally charged with 10 felonies, but agreed to a plea deal.