Money laundering charges dropped against ex-NLV court marshal

Money laundering charges against former North Las Vegas Municipal Court Chief Marshal Ricardo Bonvicin were dismissed Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Robert Jones dismissed six counts of money laundering and one count of lying to a federal officer against the 15-year veteran and one-time supervisor over the North Las Vegas Detention Center.

Jones said the FBI and U.S. attorney's office officials strayed when they chose to trust witness Steve Barket.

Barket admitted having a 25-year relationship with the FBI, IRS, ATF and other federal law enforcement agencies. On cross examination by Bonvicin's attorney Tom Pitaro, it was brought out that Barket used his relationship with the FBI to attempt to bury the defendant after their friendship had soured.

Although Jones stopped short of calling Bonvicin a victim, he said Barket's lack of credibility and the government's entrapment called for a dismissal of all charges.

"Obviously, these charges were devastating to him," Pitaro said. "Now that they're dismissed, hopefully he'll have a chance to pick up his life and go on."