Three men accused of selling hallucinogenic mushrooms and tablets similar to Ecstasy to undercover officers appeared Wednesday in East Fork Justice Court.
David Paul Smith, 28, is set to plead guilty Aug. 9 in District Court to one count of trafficking in a controlled substance. In exchange, Washoe County will not proceed on additional trafficking charges.
"He knows he's going to prison," said lawyer Tod Young.
Smith is being held on a probation violation from California.
"I've made some bad choices," Smith said. "I'm 28 and it's time to take my life seriously."
Co-defendant Joshua Zuganos, 18, of Reno, waived his preliminary hearing and is to plead guilty Monday in District Court to conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.
In exchange for his guilty plea, the district attorney's office agreed not to oppose Western Regional Drug Court. If Zuganos is successful, he may petition to have the charge dismissed and his record sealed.
"This is a good opportunity instead of starting out at 18 with a felony conviction," said Young.
East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl released Trent Austyn Williams, 18, of Wellington, on his own recognizance.
He set a July 9 court date when Williams will appear with lawyer Derrick Lopez.
EnEarl placed Williams on house arrest.
"You're just swapping a jail cell for your house. You can't leave it," EnEarl said.
He told Williams he can't use a cell phone or motor vehicle or contact the co-defendants.
EnEarl amended a no-gun restriction when Williams said his stepfather was a Markleeville law enforcement officer.
He ordered any weapons to be secured and kept away from Williams.
"Do you understand everyone is bending over backwards to benefit you?" EnEarl asked. "Do you think you're old enough, big enough or tough enough to go to prison? Don't mess this up."
An investigation by the sheriff's Street Enforcement Team, the Douglas-Carson-Lyon counties Narcotic Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Agency resulted in the arrests for selling hallucinogenic mushrooms and a drug known as TFMPP, commonly referred to as "mollies" and similar to Ecstasy.
Deputies seized 200 TFMPP pills and more than 314 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.
The three originally were charged with trafficking in a controlled substance and conspiracy to violate the Uniformed Controlled Substances Act.
"This is sickening, it really is," EnEarl said at the conclusion of the defendant's appearances. "Everyone in here is 18 or 19 years old."
