News

Defendants get jail time

By Bill Moss, Published: June 7, 2016

Numerous defendants received active prison sentences after pleading guilty or being convicted of crimes in Henderson County Superior Court May 23-June 3, District Attorney Greg Newman announced.

Jonathan Russell, formerly of 54 Brookside Drive, Hendersonville, pleaded guilty to four counts of Misdemeanor Assault on a Child under 12 years old. Russell coached the victims’ baseball team and would invite them to stay overnight at his house. On multiple occasions over a three-year period, Russell would take the boys to his bedroom, lock the door, and spank them on their bare bottoms, prosecutors said. Russell told the boys not to tell their parents.

During the hearing of Russell’s guilty plea, he testified to the judge that he disciplined the boys out of love and he treated them as he would his own children. One of the victims and multiple family members also addressed the judge during the hearing and asked the judge to impose the harshest sentenced allowed by law.
Russell was sentenced to 120 days confinement to be followed by 18 months supervised probation. While on probation, Russell cannot be alone with anyone under 18 years of age other than his biological children. He cannot work or volunteer at an establishment that specifically caters to children under 18 years of age and he is not allowed to coach any sport or event. Russell also has to submit to anger management and a mental evaluation.

In other cases:

Victor Portela Rueda, of TJ Trail, Hendersonville, NC, pled guilty to two counts of Indecent Liberties with a Child and Assault on a Female. Rueda received three consecutive sentences totaling five years in prison.

Ricardo Lanier, of 401 East Blue Ridge Road, East Flat Rock, was found guilty by a jury of Habitual Misdemeanor Assault and was sentenced to 32 months in prison.

William Scott Brown, of 528 E. Hwy 108 Lot 24, Mill Spring, was found guilty by a jury of Larceny of an Anti-Theft Device and sentenced to 32 months in prison. Brown also pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance in a Prison/Jail and was sentenced to 33 months in prison to run concurrent to his current sentence.

Larry Middleton, of 1280 Union Hill Church Road, Hendersonville, pled guilty to Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury and was sentenced to 50 months in prison.

Jeffrey Brevard, of 1058 McMinn Road, Hendersonville, pled guilty to Felony Hit and Run, Felony Child Abuse, and Driving While Impaired. Brevard was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Jesus Reyes Perez, of 25 Volunteer Way, East Flat Rock, pled guilty to Attempted Statutory Rape and was sentenced to 210 months in prison.

Bruce Musser, of 6100 Howard Gap Road, Flat Rock, pled guilty to two counts of Common Law Robbery and was sentenced to 40 months in prison.

Joseph Fleischer, of 2125 Pisgah Drive, Hendersonville, pled guilty to Conspire to Commit Larceny and Habitual Felon. Fleischer was sentenced to 54 months in prison.

Windell Flowers, of 620 Jonas Street, Hendersonville, pled guilty to Habitual Felon, Attempted Possession with Intent to Manufacture/Sell/Deliver Cocaine, and Maintain Vehicle/Dwelling/Place for Controlled Substance. Flowers was sentenced to 65 months in prison.

Lowell Love, of 135 Frank Hill Road, Hendersonville pled guilty to Misdemeanor Larceny and was sentenced to 45 days in jail.

Jose Guerra, of 140 Sugarloaf Road, Hendersonville, NC, pled guilty to Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury and was sentenced to 47 months in prison.

Sergio Waters, of 92 Weston Circle, Fletcher, NC, was found guilty by a jury of Speeding and sentenced to five days in jail.