A 36-year-old Minden man who spent the last year living on the streets after he ran away from a substance abuse treatment program was sentenced Tuesday to 10 years in prison for his second felony conviction of driving under the influence.
Jeffrey McManus told District Judge Dave Gamble he knew he threw away an opportunity for treatment a year ago.
"I know you have given me a chance and I basically gave the court the middle finger," McManus said. "I could have pioneered the way for other people. I made bad choices in my life. I just hope my children can forgive me."
Gamble told McManus he must serve 36 months before he is eligible for parole. He also fined him $2,000.
McManus was to be sentenced last March for a second felony DUI, but was allowed to undergo treatment first. He left without permission after two days at the Sierra Recovery Center.
He was arrested Jan. 29 in Reno.
Lawyer Derrick Lopez said McManus had been living on the streets since he ran away, but wanted to get clean and become a substance abuse counselor.
"He understands he threw away the chance for himself and hurt people," Lopez said. "The reason he ran was his fear of prison. Once he was out, he started using immediately and used the whole time. He lived as a street person. It was a very meager, terrible existence."
Lopez said McManus hoped to take advantage of prison programs and seek treatment for hepatitis C.
Prosecutor Tom Gregory outlined McManus's prior convictions which date to August 1988.
"His criminal history is too long and his risk to society too great to give him another chance," Gregory said.
Gamble commented on the defendant's statement that he used heroin to keep him from drinking.
"It was just stupid," McManus said.
McManus received credit for 69 days in custody.
McManus was arrested Dec. 21, 2005, for felony driving under the influence, battery on an officer and hit and run.
Deputies received a report that McManus appeared to be unconscious behind the wheel when his car rolled across Highway 395 and hit a car in the turn lane on Jacks Valley Road.
