Deputy's beau accused of threats

The boyfriend of a Washoe County deputy who was under investigation on drug and burglary charges was arrested Tuesday for allegedly threatening the man who leveled the accusations against the deputy.

Rudy Anthony Estrada, 41, of Carson City, was booked into the Carson City Jail on suspicion of felony intimidation of a witness and assault with a deadly weapon.

According to the police report, the victim told police Estrada attempted to run him off the road Tuesday about 2 p.m. as they drove toward one another on Carson River Road.

The victim "said he had to get out of (Estrada's) way by swerving to the right in order to avoid a head-on collision," wrote Deputy Brian Morton.

According to the report, the victim said this was the second time Estrada attempted to "push him off the road," and alleged Estrada had also verbally threatened him at a Carson City restaurant at an earlier date.

"(Estrada) intended to intimidate (the victim) and his family for filing the said previous criminal report against his girlfriend," Morton wrote, referring "to the recent ongoing investigation of his girlfriend, Michon Mills."

Last week, District Attorney Noel Waters declined to file charges against Mills, a K9 handler with the Washoe County Sheriff's Department, based on information supplied by the victim.

The former friend of the deputy claimed he witnessed Mills take prescription drugs without a prescription, and said she stole documents from his home that supported his argument in a litigation Mills and he were pursuing.

"In the absence of other witnesses or physical evidence, this becomes a swearing contest," Waters said.

The Washoe County Sheriff's Department is conducting a separate internal investigation into the allegations against Mills.

Estrada, who lists his occupation as a laborer for the Nevada Department of Transportation, was released Wednesday from the Carson City Jail after posting a $20,000 bail.

Contact F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.