Ex-boyfriend pleads guilty

The 24-year-old former boyfriend of the Las Vegas city attorney pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery.

John Dean Baker was arrested March 13, after an argument over money turned physical between him and Las Vegas City Attorney Brad Jerbic.

According to the police report, Baker pushed Jerbic against the living room wall, striking his chest. Jerbic walked away and Baker went into the garage and grabbed a metal hatchet. He began taunting Jerbic, stating, “It’s over. You got 48 hours,” according to the police report.

Jerbic called 911 and police arrested Baker, a college student who was living with Jerbic at the time.

Justice of the Peace Ann Zimmerman on Tuesday sentenced Baker to 100 hours of community service and fined him $340. She also ordered Baker to complete six months of domestic violence counseling and to submit mental health reports from his mental health care provider monthly to the court. Zimmerman also prohibited Baker from having any contact with Jerbic.

Jerbic did not return phone calls seeking comment Tuesday.

Jerbic’s comments about the case last month prompted local defense lawyers to allege that Jerbic was seeking special treatment.

Jerbic’s office has a tough “no-drop policy” for domestic violence cases. But after Baker’s arrest Jerbic told the Review-Journal he would ask prosecutors to drop the case if Baker, who is bipolar, stayed on his medications.

Jerbic later told the newspaper he regretted making those comments, and prosecutors said they had no intention of dropping the case.

After the arrest, Baker was jailed for about two days, before Justice of the Peace Ann Zimmerman said he could be released under intensive supervision provided his residence was confirmed and his medication stabilized.

Prosecutor Susan Krisko filed a motion with the court a day after Baker’s release asking the judge to order authorities to take Baker back into custody.

In her motion, Krisko stated the court released Baker over her objections and failed to confirm his residence prior to his release.

Zimmerman said Tuesday she resents the accusation that she failed to certify his living situation. “Somehow I’m supposed to know pretrial services released him without confirming his residence?” she said.