DA's Office Announces Sentencing in 2014 Stabbing Murder

Washoe County District Attorney's Office Announces Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Stabbing Death of Reno Man

June 2, 2016
Reno, Nevada

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office announced today that a Reno man has received a 30 year prison sentence for a  2014 stabbing murder that occurred outside a downtown Reno motel.  The sentence ensures that the defendant will serve a minimum of 12 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.   

Johnathan Eugene Mingo, 28 (9/17/87) from Reno was sentenced Tuesday by Washoe County District Court Judge Lidia Stiglich to 30 years in prison for the stabbing death of 48 year old Richard Lebarron (DOB 5/11/66). Mingo previously pled guilty in April of this year to one count of 2^nd degree murder with the use of a deadly weapon.  The sentence included a term of 25 years for the murder and an additional 5 year term for the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of the crime.

The case against Mingo began when the Reno Police Department (RPD) responded to the Ponderosa Hotel on the report of a stabbing in the early morning hours of August 29, 2014.  When patrol units arrived they found the victim suffering from a single stab wound to his chest. The victim died a short time later and the subsequent investigation by the RPD Robbery Homicide Unit (RHU) identified Mingo as a possible suspect.  During the investigation, detectives located surveillance footage that captured a portion of the stabbing and identified witnesses who stated that Mingo and the victim had been involved in a verbal argument just prior to the stabbing.

Detectives determined that Mingo had fled the scene on his bicycle and later discarded the knife, the bike, his clothing and a pendant he was wearing around his neck. He eventually left Reno for California.  RHU detectives found the discarded items during a search near the Ponderosa.  Forensic testing by the Washoe County Crime Lab confirmed the items found belonged to Mingo and that the knife was the murder weapon.  The investigation continued and Mingo was eventually located and arrested in June, 2015. In an interview following his arrest, Mingo admitted to the stabbing and claimed the victim had directed racial slurs at him.