Metro sergeant denies accusations he caused arrests on the Strip

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A suspended Las Vegas Metropolitan Police sergeant facing two separate criminal charges is set to go to trial early next year.

Kevin Menon pleaded not guilty Wednesday in a Clark County courtroom to charges that he staged false arrests on the Las Vegas Strip.

The hearing on oppression, battery on a protected person and perjury is planned to be held on March 31.

Menon was later charged with possession of child sexual abuse material found during police searches for the first case.

Prosecutors Nick Portz and Christopher Hamner sought to increase Menon’s bail, arguing that he poses a flight risk and danger to the community due to additional criminal child sexual abuse charges.

Hamner described Menon as a “pedophile” who kept nearly 600 graphic images of underage girls as his “treasures” on four devices. Prosecutors said the original bail amount was set before the child sexual abuse material was found.

But Menon’s defense lawyer, Dominic Gentile, assured the court that his client would not be a candidate, was wearing a GPS device and was in possession of Menon’s passport and guns.

Gentile also said Menon worked every day in his office and submitted a character letter from a local rabbi to the court for review.

But prosecutors said the duress case “should not be looked at in a vacuum.”

Prosecutors also argued for the validity of Menon’s own character letter submitted in his defense. Menon said he transferred to Harvard University. He also said he was guaranteed admission to Harvard Medical School.

But prosecutors said an email from the Harvard Office of General Counsel revealed that there was no record of Menon attending Harvard University or Harvard Medical School. But he took a course at Harvard’s extension school and dropped it.

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Prosecutors also described the transcription of Menon’s notes found on his computer as “fake.” They said it was a Word document that could be changed at any time.

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After hearing both arguments, District Court Judge Ronald Israel agreed with prosecutors and increased Menon’s bail to $150,000, considering all factors in the case. However, he allowed Menon to remain free on bail.

Menon’s wife was seen crying in court after the verdict.

Menon was given 24 hours to meet the additional bail amount or be arrested. Gentile told Channel 13 that Menon was on his way to announce the new bail amount.

Gentile also stated that he was very pleased with the outcome of the trial, describing it as “Snoopy’s happy dance.” The defense attorney said his client was a “good law enforcement officer” and asked people to wait for the hearing to try him.