Meth salesman gets drug court

A 51-year-old Indian Hills man was sentenced Monday to drug court after he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance for sale.

"I hope this is the event that changes your life," said District Judge Michael Gibbons. "You're way too old to be involved in something like this."

Wallace was arrested Dec. 14 by officers from the Tri-NET Narcotics Task force and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office Street Enforcement Team.

Fifteen hypodermic needles and four small plastic bags which contained 5 grams of what was determined to be methamphetamine were recovered from his residence in addition to 40-50 unknown pills in a prescription bottle.

If Wallace successfully completes Western Nevada Regional Drug Court, the charge may be dismissed.

n A 21-year-old heroin addict is headed for drug court after he pleaded guilty Monday to possession of a controlled substance.

District Judge Michael Gibbons ordered Ryan Draucker to appear in Western Nevada Regional Drug Court on Monday. If he successfully completes the program, the charge may be dismissed.

If Draucker fails, he faces up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

"How is it you happened to be involved with heroin?" Gibbons asked.

"I just got mixed up with the wrong people," Draucker said.

Lawyer Tod Young said he's seen "an alarming increase" in the use of heroin in Douglas County in the last six months.

Draucker was charged March 22 with possession of a controlled substance and being under the influence of a controlled substance.

He is to appear in East Fork Justice Court today on a domestic battery charged from March 30.

The 21-year-old alleged victim called 911 from a convenience store where she fled after escaping from the couple's bedroom window with their month-old baby.

She told deputies that Draucker slammed her up against a wall, grabbed her throat and slapped her face before a friend pulled him off. He fled the scene, but later turned himself in.

He is in Douglas County Jail on $10,000 bail.

n A 41-year-old man who stole silver bars, a handgun and jewelry from his landlord, then faked an insurance claim, was sentenced to probation Monday after the victim asked for leniency.

Eliott N. Day was charged by the attorney general's office with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. He was accused of stealing the items in September 2006 and making the crime look like a burglary.

The victim, John M. Heizer, Jr., said his family has owned 25 acres at Cave Rock for three generations. He said Day and his wife were renting a home on his property and Day worked for him while he was out prospecting.

Heizer also is certified as a master guide.

Heizer said he kept silver bars in case he had to make unexpected payments.

The stolen bars weighed 200 ounces, 100 ounces and 80 ounces.

"Mr. Day is an honorable person," Heizer said. "The problem was with his marriage."

Day was ordered to repay Heizer $13,540, pay American Family Insurance $3,000 and $500 to the attorney general's office.

Judge Michael Gibbons suspended a one-year sentence in Douglas County Jail and placed him on three years probation.

Gibbons also pointed out the value of silver climbed from $13 an ounce in 2006 when it was stolen to $18 an ounce today.

He ordered Day to perform 50 hours of community service and pay restitution of $500 per month.

"I want to apologize to the court, to John and to my friends and family I hurt," Day said.