LAKEPORT— An Occidental man, Nova Maye Deperno, 27, who had been arrested in connection to an incident involving the murder of a Lucerne man, Ronald Meluso, 63, was in custody and present at the Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport.
The defendant entered a no contest plea to the murder charge and admits to the special allegation of PC12022.5(A), which is the personal use of a firearm in the attempt to commit a felony.
A no contest plea is when a defendant accepts conviction but does not plead or accept guilt.
The Court accepted the defendant’s plea and the matter has been referred to the Lake County Probation Department for the preparation of a pre-sentencing report.
The Court advised the defendant that he is prohibited from owning, purchasing, receiving, possessing or having under his custody/control any firearms, ammunition and ammunition feeding devices, including but not limited to magazines.
The matter has been set for a sentencing hearing in March of 2023.
The People indicated they will not be seeking the death penalty in this matter.
Last year the defendant entered a not guilty plea to all counts and denied the special allegations.
During a preliminary hearing last year, witnesses were sworn in and testified. People’s exhibits (a collection of text messages) were marked and received into evidence.
After both sides rested and the Court heard the arguments, it appeared to Judge J. David Markham that the felony violation(s) have been committed and the special allegations are true. There was sufficient cause to believe the defendant is guilty thereof – it was ordered that the defendant be held to answer to the same.
Defense Attorney Kevin Davenport advised the Court that he is not qualified to represent the defendant in a death penalty case.
Last June Attorney Davenport requested a continuance as he was missing discovery in this case. The Court found good cause to continue.
Last May the defendant appeared for a preliminary hearing as parties inform the court there are eight missing supplemental reports that defense needs to review.
The Court found a good cause to continue the matter at that time as well.
Last April this matter was assigned to Judge Lunas in Department 1.
The defendant had been charged with murder, burglary, vehicle theft and buy/sell/receive stolen property. The charges stem from the arrest of Deperno in Sonoma County on Jan. 13, 2022, when 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 had been in contact with Meluso’s family with arrangements being made to confirm positive identification.
The defendant had faced several other charges that were 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.
Based on a motion by the People, many of the charges have been dismissed in the interest of justice – except for the murder charge and assault with firearm on person.
At that time the defendant pled not guilty to the murder of Ronald Meluso. Meluso was reported missing in August of 2021.
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.
