Illinois man sentenced to 10 years for drunk driving

An Illinois man with 19 felony convictions was sentenced Monday to 10 years in Nevada State Prison for felony driving under the influence.

James Edward Schultz, 46, told District Judge Michael Gibbons he was sorry.

"I would just like to apologize to Douglas County," he said.

Schultz's lawyer, Tod Young, pointed out that 13 of the felonies stemmed from a single arrest on bad check charges. Four are related to driving under the influence and the rest are theft, battery and a drug charge.

"Most of these are nonviolent offenses," Young said. "Most of his criminal history is a substance abuse problem. He has terrible addictions, multiple addictions."

Young said Schultz quit using cocaine after 13 years, but switched to alcohol.

He was arrested April 29 on Highway 50 near Zephyr Cove after a motorist observed him driving in the wrong lane. His blood-alcohol content was .16, twice the legal limit.

Prosecutor MikeMcCormick said Schultz had two felony warrants and five misdemeanor warrants outstanding.

"This guy is a crime spree and we need to take him out of circulation," McCormick said.

Gibbons told Schultz he must serve three years before he is eligible for parole.

"With your record, you may not get parole," Gibbons said. "You can't control your drinking. You can't stay out from behind the wheel. You said you have bad eyesight. The court has to consider very aggravated offenses."

-- A 30-year-old South Lake Tahoe man who was videotaped stealing a television from a local bar was sentenced Monday to two years probation.

District Judge Michael Gibbons sentenced Matthew McCullough to three years in Nevada State Prison, suspended, and placed him on probation.

"You're too old to have this stupid behavior," Gibbons said.

McCullough said he was drunk when he took the television.

"He took the TV because he was drunk. He was right in front of the video camera," said his lawyer, Derrick Lopez. "After he took the TV, he went back drinking."

McCullough told Gibbons he quit drinking and was attending counseling.

"My fiancée made it quite clear I would lose her and the kids if I didn't quit," he said.

Deputies found the television at McCullough's house.

He pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny, a felony.

Gibbons ordered McCullough to perform 40 hours of community service and to abstain from alcohol and controlled substances.

-- A 46-year-old Gardnerville man who delivered methamphetamine to undercover officers was sentenced Tuesday to six years in Nevada State Prison.

District Judge Dave Gamble told Scott Fonger he would have to serve 24 months before he was eligible for parole.

"It's time for you to stop this," Gamble said, pointing out Fonger already had been sentenced to Western Regional Drug Court on a prior offense and dropped out.

Gamble also fined Fonger $2,000.

Fonger's lawyer, Julie Bachman, said her client had a long history of criminal charges related to drug use and wanted to be placed in an in-patient treatment program after he gets out of prison.

"He's 46 years old and he's been in drugs since he was 14," she said.

-- A 19-year-old Indian Hills man was sentenced Tuesday to probation for his part in a drug operation being run from a residence in the 800 block of Coloma Drive.

District Judge Dave Gamble ordered Johnny Harrington to complete Western Regional Drug Court or face a suspended sentence of 32 months in Nevada State Prison.

Gamble interrupted Harrington as the teenager was explaining he'd attended only one Narcotics Anonymous meeting because of scheduling conflicts.

"You've got one villain in your life and it's drugs," Gamble said. "People who are addicted to drugs need to go (to NA) every day."

Harrington said he had made efforts to turn his life around since his arrest in March with several other juveniles and young adults in connection with the sales of prescription drugs.

Harrington's lawyer, Laura Grant, characterized her client's role as minor in the operation.

"I've got a good head on my shoulders. I feel I've matured," Harrington said. "I feel I will successfully complete drug court."

-- A Silver Springs man who was charged with driving intoxicated with his year-old daughter in the car was sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison for his second felony DUI.

"I accept what I did," said Kenneth Wager, 46. "I wasn't thinking."

Wager must serve a minimum of two years before he is eligible for parole.

Wager's lawyer, Jack Sheehan, said his client's pre-sentence report included 19 incidents where he was arrested or before a judge for a criminal act.

Thirteen counts were reduced in severity, deferred or dismissed.

Wager was arrested Jan. 9 on Highway 395 near Johnson Lane with a blood-alcohol content of .19, more than twice the legal limit. His year-old daughter was in the car.

"We think that's reprehensible," said prosecutor Mike McCormick.

"Your little girl is young enough right now if this is the last time you go to prison. It will have minimal effect," Gamble said. "I hope you choose your little girl over alcohol."