District Judge Michael Gibbons revoked probation Monday for a 20-year-old Roseville, Calif., man whose prosecution, the judge said, had been "bungled from the beginning."
"You were borderline probation," Gibbons told Clemente Torres. "Because of your age and being supervised in California, I thought there was a chance you might get your life together."
Torres was sentenced in November 2006 for stealing a car in Roseville, and driving to Stateline.
Torres reportedly sped down Highway 50, ignoring traffic lights and crosswalks and endangering pedestrians and other motorists in the April 2006 incident. A South Lake Tahoe police officer said Torres tried at least twice to run him off the road with the stolen car.
He was arrested for several probation violations including missing appointments, moving without notifying his probation officer and owing $525 in restitution.
He also was arrested for driving under the influence.
Torres said he "freaked out" when he moved to Reno.
"I knew no one. I had never been on my own. I made mistakes. I should have asked my probation officer for help," he told the judge.
Gibbons ordered Torres to serve a three-year sentence in Nevada State Prison. He is eligible for parole in 12 months.
"All these things were your choices," Gibbons said.
