A 29-year-old Carson City man was ordered to serve one year in Douglas County Jail after several failed probation attempts.
East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl told Christopher Earle on Dec. 13 that he could serve part of that sentence in a substance abuse treatment program.
"Your life is a mess," EnEarl said. "You need to get this out of your life if you are going to have one."
Earle was arrested a year ago after he admitted searching through trash bins near Borders book store looking for sales slips he could use to get money for items he had not purchased.
Earle's most recent arrest was Nov. 29 at Wal-Mart after he attempted to steal a cell phone.
n East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl said he would decide Jan. 5 whether to revoke probation for Alfred Ward, 25, who admitted violating his probation by using methamphetamine.
"You face going to jail for eight months for using meth and your wife is pregnant?" EnEarl asked.
When Ward was stopped on Dec. 9 by Washoe Tribal police, officers found several weapons in the vehicle.
The defendant said the weapons belonged to friends of his wife.
Ward said he used the methamphetamine because he ran out of diet pills.
"I have no excuse," Ward said. "I ran out of diet pills and I used crank. I guess it's the same thing."
EnEarl also said Ward failed to take anger management counseling, also a condition of probation.
He pleaded guilty earlier this year to two counts of battery causing domestic violence.
Ward said he hadn't signed up for the counseling because he had just moved into an apartment after living in his car for six months.
n A 32-year-old Minden woman admitted Dec. 13 that she used methamphetamine in violation of her probation.
East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl refused to release Carrie Keebaugh for the holidays.
"You need to stay where you are," he said. "I hate what you're doing to yourself and your children."
According to court records, Keebaugh checked into the Carson Valley Inn with her young sons earlier this month and paid cash for one night's stay. The next morning, hotel staff found the room in disarray with bags of marijuana strewn about, methamphetamine residue, and bills in Keebaugh's name.
She is set to appear in District Court on Jan. 8 to enter a plea along with a request for admission to drug court.
EnEarl revoked her probation and sentenced her to 180 days in Douglas County Jail.
"You look terrible," he said. "You are going to die."
Keebaugh said she wanted to quit using drugs.
"I am getting too old," she said. "This has been the toughest week of my life."
