Two more defendents plead not guilty in Judge Jones case

Two more defendants pleaded not guilty Tuesday in what authorities say was a $3 million investment fraud scheme involving longtime Family Court Judge Steven Jones.

Mark L. Hansen, 54, of Oregon and Constance C. Fenton, 68, of Washington state remain free on their own recognizance while they await a Jan. 8 trial in Las Vegas with Jones and three other defendants.

Federal prosecutors did not seek to detain Hansen and Fenton, but U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Leen ordered them to stay away from any victims or witnesses tied to the case.

Jones, 54, was charged with using the power of his office to carry out the investment scheme, which authorities say began in 2002. He pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance earlier this month.

All six defendants face an array of criminal charges in a 20-count indictment, including conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering.

Prosecutors contend Jones' former brother-in-law, Thomas A. Cecrle Jr., 55, of Henderson, was the central figure in the scheme. Cecrle, who pleaded not guilty this month, was detained pending trial.

Two other Las Vegas-area defendants, Terry J. Wolfe, 57, and Ashlee M. Martin, 38, also were detained. Both pleaded not guilty.

The indictment alleges that between September 2002 and October 2012, the defendants persuaded people to lend them money under the guise of quick repayment with high rates of interest. The defendants indicated they needed the loans to secure valuable property and water rights, including land on the Strip, the indictment said.

When investors became disgruntled and questioned the legitimacy of their investments, the indictment alleges, the defendants lulled them into a false sense of security by referring them to Jones, who used his stature as a judge to vouch for Cecrle and the investment scheme, knowing it was a fraud.

The judge is alleged to have met with investors "in chambers, over the telephone and elsewhere."

According to the indictment, Jones took calls from Cecrle in chambers, drafted and reviewed documents associated with sham investments and received cash from the scheme at the courthouse where he heard cases.

Contact Jeff German at jgerman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-8135.