Nevada woman convicted in student kidnapping near school to spotlight security

Nevada woman convicted in kidnap stunt near school

LAS VEGAS — A woman was convicted of conspiracy and false imprisonment after she harbored a 6-year-old boy who was snatched by her friend to protest what the women claimed was lax security at a Nevada elementary school.

Elaine Clermont, 40, was led from the courtroom in handcuffs after jurors announced their verdict Friday.

“The citizens of Clark County have spoken, and they said it is not OK to take someone else’s child no matter what the purpose,” said Chief Deputy District Attorney Lisa Luzaich.

Clermont’s 9-year-old daughter sobbed after her mother was convicted.

“It’s OK,” Clermont told the girl. “I love you. It’s a good thing.”

Clermont’s friend, Laurinda Drake, was acquitted after a separate trial where she testified that she meant no harm and was concerned for the safety of the boy.

Drake admitted taking the unattended boy after he strayed from Jo Mackey Elementary School in North Las Vegas in September 2008. Both women had children attending the campus.

Drake was in court Friday and cried after hearing the verdict against Clermont, who could face up to six years in prison on the felony conspiracy charge and another year in custody for false imprisonment, a gross misdemeanor. Sentencing was set for Jan. 7.

“I can’t imagine my child being taken by two adults and held for an hour and a half and they are not going to be punished whatsoever,” said prosecutor Roy Nelson, who handled the trials of both women. “Ms. Clermont always wanted her day in court and we were happy to give it to her.”

Clermont’s husband, Chris, had harsh words for the court.

“You people disgust me,” he shouted before leaving.

At the time of the incident, Drake, 41, told investigators she took the boy to show the Clark County School Board of Trustees how easily someone could kidnap a student. Police said she drove the child to a discount store before taking him to Clermont’s home.

The two women called local media outlets, asking them to meet at the Board of Trustees building, where they turned the boy over to authorities before being arrested. The boy was unharmed.

Clermont, of North Las Vegas, had been on her own recognizance before trial. After the verdict, Clark County District Judge Doug Herndon set her bond at $10,000. She was not listed as being in custody Saturday, according the Clark County Detention Center’s Web site.

Her lawyer, Mace Yampolsky, said he would seek to have the verdict dismissed on grounds of insufficient evidence. He said he was “dumbfounded” and could not explain the different verdicts for the two women.

Prosecutors contended that Clermont had other run-ins with the school board that motivated the stunt.

“Elaine Clermont had the motive and the political agenda that Laurinda Drake did not,” Luzaich said.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal previously reported that Clermont had complained about security at board meetings and criticized members.

Information from: Las Vegas Review-Journal, www.lvrj.com