Drug salesman gets suspended sentence

A 25-year-old South Lake Tahoe man who sold a quarter-ounce of methamphetamine to a confidential informant was sentenced Monday to nine months in Douglas County Jail for his part in the transaction.

District Judge Michael Gibbons sentenced Jose Castro to three years in prison, suspended, and placed him on three years probation.

He gave Castro credit for 194 days he has been in custody since his arrest April 20.

Castro also has an immigration hold and faces deportation.

His lawyer, Kevin Walsh, argued that Castro was the "procuring agent" in the transaction and only took a pinch of methamphetamine for himself.

"Mr. Castro went and got the drugs because he's a methamphetamine user," Walsh said. "He uses three to four times a week. You don't take an end user like Mr. Castro and turn him into a drug trafficker."

Walsh said that prison should be reserved for more serious criminals and argued that there were alternatives like drug court for addicts like Castro.

He said his client was badgered into procuring the drug for the informant who pestered him daily until he complied.

The informant, Roberto Meza, was sentenced to prison for stealing official advance funds used in other drug transactions.

Speaking through an interpreter, Castro said he wanted to apologize to the court and his family.

"I want to apologize to my wife for the time I have not been with her and our children because of my bad habits. I am very sorry and very remorseful about this."

Gibbons told Castro if he were not deported, he was ordered to successfully complete Western Nevada Regional Drug Court.

"The court is not imposing prison because this is your first serious offense, and because of the small amount involved," Gibbons said.

"The informant was convicted of a felony while cooperating with the police and lost credibility with this court," he added.

Gibbons said he hoped Castro would maintain the sobriety he achieved during his more than six months in Douglas County Jail.