A 25-year-old Gardnerville man with a long history of drug arrests was sentenced Tuesday to complete drug court as his "last chance" to avoid prison.
District Judge Dave Gamble sentenced Ernie Ottowa to five years in Nevada State Prison which he suspended and placed the defendant on five years probation.
"I don't know today whether I am going to have success with you in drug court," Gamble said. "But if you flake drug court, I will have you back here and you will be going to prison."
Gamble said he was reluctant to allow Ottowa to participate in drug court because he wasn't convinced he was committed.
Ottowa faced up to six years in prison and a $20,000 fine after he pleaded guilty to selling 2.5 grams of methamphetamine.
"These last five years have been a total disaster," Ottowa said. "I want to change myself. I don't have any idea where I am going to be in 30 years if I keep doing this. I'll be nowhere, probably in prison."
Prosecutor Mark Jackson said Ottowa had an extensive adult record and had been given several opportunities for treatment and generous plea agreements.
"What stuck out to me was 'Where was the prosecution?'" Gamble asked, referring to prior arrests.
The judge pointed out that one prior offense was serious enough to have been a trafficking charge.
Jackson agreed, but said he wasn't the prosecutor assigned to the case at the time.
Ottowa's lawyer Matthew Ence said his client had a history of abuse from his family and from living with other addicts.
"It doesn't excuse what he did, but he doesn't have the education for a job," Ence said.
As terms of probation, Ottowa must earn his high school general equivalency diploma and maintain full-time employment.
"The main component for success in drug court is a real, settled desire on the part of the defendant to change," Gamble said.
n Charges were dismissed Tuesday against a Carson City woman who successfully completed a drug diversion program.
"Congratulations on the work you've done," District Judge Dave Gamble told Sarah Chadwick, 20. "It's unusual for me to get to do this. You're done with us. Go and have a good life."
Chadwick was arrested April 28, 2005, and charged with unlawful use of a controlled substance.
She was placed on the diversion program a year ago.
Her program supervisor said she was "a pleasure to work with."
n A Markleeville resident who faces sentencing on a charge of attempted burglary pleaded guilty Tuesday to participating in a check cashing scheme using forged Washoe Tribe and Washoe Housing Authority checks.
Waylon Kurtis Dondero, 23, is set for sentencing on both charges Aug. 22.
He admitted cashing two checks for a total of $2,400 at Carson Valley Inn and Sharkey's casinos.
He told District Judge Dave Gamble he received half the money and gave the rest to Joreen George, who's been charged in the offense.
Dondero told Gamble he spent $600 and gave the rest of the money to friends to pay rent and utility bills.
He admitted he knew the checks were forged.
