Caretaker sentenced to prison for drugs

An 18-year-old Topaz Ranch Estates man was sentenced Monday to six years in Nevada State Prison and ordered to pay $15,533.46 restitution to the elderly stroke victim he exploited while under the defendant's care.

District Judge Michael Gibbons told Trent Williams he must serve 18 months before he is eligible for parole.

Williams pleaded guilty to principal to trafficking in a plea agreement to avoid being charged with exploiting the elderly.

Williams was driving the elderly victim's van, that he later wrecked, at the time of a drug deal involving David Paul Smith, 28, of Reno.

Smith was sentenced to a minimum of 28 months in prison.

"I know that I have done things wrong," Williams said.

In addition to totaling the van, Williams was accused of cashing checks and using the victim's credit card on numerous occasions. He also was accused of taking three firearms from the man.

"Mr. Williams was involved in a lot of other activities that led us to ask for the maximum," said prosecutor Laurie Trotter.

"Trent Williams was a caretaker for a stroke victim, an elderly man confined to bed who can't appear here today," she said.

His lawyer, Derrick Lopez, said Williams was asked by the victim to be his caretaker shortly after the defendant turned 18.

He said Williams was inexperienced in budgeting, financing and took advantage of the situation.

"He knows he did it," Lopez said. "It's a tragic situation for everyone involved. Mandatory prison is a huge penalty. He has never been in trouble before, he has no juvenile record. Trent was put in charge of a financial situation which he had no experience for."

Williams was arrested June 19 at the Clear Creek Plaza parking lot.

Gibbons forbade Williams from working with the elderly or infirm.

"This is quite a way to start your adult life," Gibbons said.

He gave him credit for 112 days in custody.