Molester gets life sentences

James Hope, who is already serving time as a child molester, received two additional life sentences from Carson District Judge Todd Russell this week.

Hope, 43, is serving life for lewdness with a child under 14 in Washington State. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of lewdness with a child under 14 in Carson City.

Russell sentenced him Monday to life with possible parole on each of those two counts. He can serve those sentences together. But Russell ordered that Hope's Carson City prison terms not begin until after he completes his sentence in Washington State.

In addition, Hope faces a possible life sentence after pleading guilty to one count of lewdness with a child under 14 in Douglas County. Judge Michael Gibbons will impose a sentence in that case March 31.

Gibbons has already warned Hope that he could end up with consecutive life sentences in the Douglas case as well.

Hope is a former painter and Carson City sheriff's cadet. In entering his guilty pleas to the charges, Hope entered an Alford plea, which means he concedes the prosecution has enough evidence to convict him even though he doesn't admit to committing the crime.