LAKEPORT— An Occidental man, Nova Maye Deperno, 26, who had been arrested and charged with the murder of a Lucerne man, Ronald Meluso, 63, was in custody and present by remote appearance at the Lakeport Superior Court.
During a recent hearing it was learned that due to the unavailability of a judge and/or court, this case was ordered to be continued.
The master calendar call has been set for July 29, 2022 with the preliminary examination set for August 3, 2022.
Attorney Kevin Davenport, representing the defendant, requested another continuance last month as he was missing discovery in this case. The Court found good cause to continue.
In May the defendant appeared for a preliminary hearing as parties inform the court there are eight missing supplemental reports and defense needs to review them.
The Court found a good cause to continue the matter at that time as well.
In April this matter was assigned to Judge Lunas in Department 1.
The defendant has been charged with murder, burglary, vehicle theft and buy/sell/receive stolen property. The charges stem after the arrest of Deperno in Sonoma County on Jan. 13, 2022, detectives from Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit were able to interview Deperno regarding the disappearance of Lucerne resident Ron Meluso. Deperno provided statements linking him to the disappearance and subsequent murder of Meluso.
On Jan. 14, 2022, Deperno assisted detectives in locating human remains in a rural area off Bartlett Springs Road in northern Lake County. The remains are strongly believed to be that of Ron Meluso, and detectives have been in contact with Meluso’s family with arrangements being made to confirm positive identification.
The defendant faces several other charges that are trailing this matter, including, flight from a traffic officer with disregard for safety, assault with a firearm on person, threaten to commit crime, abuse (endangering child with great bodily injury) and prevent/dissuade witness/victim with force/threat.
In January the defendant pled not guilty to the murder of Ronald Meluso. Meluso was reported missing in August of last year.
The defendant was arrested Jan. 20, 2022 and booked at the Lake County Correctional Facility, where he remains in custody and is being held without bail.
