Clark County court officer pleads guilty in gun incident

A Clark County courthouse marshal pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge related to pulling a gun on a driver he thought was speeding on a residential street.

Travis William Best pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit a crime in the June 13 incident on Lowden Lane, near Rainbow Boulevard and Westcliff Drive.

According to the plea agreement, Best faces a year of probation and must pay a $250 fine and stay out of trouble. If he successfully completes the terms, he can withdraw his plea and plead guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct.

A court spokeswoman said Best was relieved of duty Wednesday "effective immediately," meaning he was on paid leave pending an internal investigation.

Best, who was off-duty at the time of the incident, told Las Vegas police that when he saw Gregory Ordaz -- spelled Ortiz in court records -- speeding down Lowden, he pulled out a handgun, pointed it at Ordaz and ordered him to stop. Best said he also showed Ordaz his badge.

Ordaz told police he thought he was being carjacked and never saw a badge. Ordaz refused to get out of the vehicle.

Best said he thought the vehicle was traveling fast enough to strike a group of about a dozen teenagers crossing the street. When the driver refused to get out of his vehicle, Best said, he called police while holding him at gunpoint.

Best was originally charged with assault with a deadly weapon in October for pointing a gun at Ordaz, according to an arrest warrant. It was not clear in court records whether Ordaz was ever cited for speeding. Court marshals are considered peace officers under the law. Part of their job description includes providing security for judges, court employees, the public and prisoners at the Regional Justice Center.