The Sparks City Attorney’s Office has announced that Howard Wayne Cates has been convicted of one count of Domestic Battery, 1st Offense.
On July 23, 2020, Sparks Police Department officers were dispatched to a call for service regarding a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, the female victim indicated to officers that Cates, her then husband, was intoxicated and had been screaming and swearing at her and their adult daughter throughout the afternoon. This then escalated to Cates pushing the female victim, causing her to fall onto the staircase in their residence. The altercation was witnessed by the adult daughter. Officers contacted Cates and charged him with Domestic Battery, 1st Offense.
On August 30, 2022, Senior Assistant City Attorney Zadora Hightower represented the City of Sparks at Cates’ trial. At the conclusion of trial, the Honorable Jim Spoo found Cates guilty of one count of Domestic Battery, 1st Offense. During the sentencing phase, Ms. Hightower argued that the power and control dynamic displayed by Cates’ conduct exemplified the behavior domestic violence laws intend to deter and punish.
“The Sparks City Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively prosecute crimes of domestic violence and stand up to defendants who batter their partners,” said Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan. “Our ‘End the Silence of Domestic Violence’ initiative is focused on giving a voice to victims of crime and holding domestic abusers accountable. Domestic violence will not be tolerated, and my office will continue to use its resources to prosecute and deter this behavior in our community.”
On August 15, 2022, City Attorney Duncan launched his “End the Silence of Domestic Violence” initiative in the City of Sparks to combat domestic violence. His innovative initiative included passing new laws to protect victims of crime, training law enforcement officers, trauma informed training for his staff, and adopting a zero-tolerance policy for domestic violence. The City Attorney’s Office is fulfilling its pledge to aggressively prosecute domestic violence.
Cates was sentenced to 180 days in the Washoe County Jail, suspended for two years on the conditions that he spend two days in the Washoe County Jail, complete 48 hours of community service, complete 26 weeks of domestic violence counseling. He also must pay a $500 fine, additional court fines and assessments, a $35 Domestic Violence fee, and have no contact with the named victim.
Original source can be found here.
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