Three prison terms for drug trafficker

A 24-year-old man with six prior felony convictions was sentenced Tuesday to three concurrent prison terms for his part in the sales of drugs in Carson Valley and the burglary of an airport business.

District Judge Dave Gamble told Antonio Wood he was a drug dealer and a thief.

"I don't believe hardly anything you said," Gamble said. "You need to examine yourself and find out if there's anything truthful about you."

He sentenced Wood to two 10-year terms and one five-year term in Nevada State Prison on charges of trafficking in a controlled substance, burglary of a firearm and ex-felon in possession of a firearm.

The sentences carry minimums of four years and 13 months before Wood would be eligible for parole.

"I am disgusted by you making a living selling drugs and stealing from a person you worked for," Gamble said.

Wood asked for leniency.

"I really think there is a chance for my future. A long prison term would really hold me back," Wood said. "I made a big mistake here. I don't think I should be punished. I might be discouraged after a prolonged incarceration."

Sentencing was deferred for codefendant Kurt Hewlett, 19, pending successful completion of an in-patient treatment program to address substance abuse and mental health issues and Western Regional Drug Court.

Hewlett's attorney, Derrick Lopez, said his client had spent three months in Douglas County Jail since his arrest and could see where his life was headed.

"He knows he's got to work, to do things to make his life better or he's going to prison," Lopez said. "He shouldn't have been doing it. It was terribly wrong."

Prosecutor Laurie Trotter, recommending that Hewlett be sent to prison, pointed out his extensive juvenile record and the fact he had prior treatment programs.

"At his arrest, he admitted selling Ecstasy to minors just off the Douglas High School campus," Trotter said.

She produced copies of Hewlett's MySpace pages from a year ago when he was setting up drug deals.

"He continued to sell to minors. He's a threat to the community and a threat to himself," Trotter said. "He's not the kind of person we want in drug court."

Hewlett pleaded guilty to conspiracy to violate the Uniform Controlled Substances Act.

"I really wasn't realizing what I was doing. I made a mistake. I'm really sorry," he said.

Gamble said he was disheartened to have Hewlett in front of him.

"I have had very, very brief periods of success with Kurt," Gamble said.

The judge said he had to weigh punishment against the effect of Hewlett having a felony at age 19, and pointed to drug court as his best chance.

"I must give him some kind of opportunity," Gamble said.

He ordered Hewlett to be held in jail until he can be transferred to a residential program that meets the court's criteria for substance abuse and mental health treatment.

"If this doesn't work for you, you need to understand you will be sent to prison by me for longer than 12-30 months if you flake on drug court," Gamble said.

"The mental health diagnoses you have don't keep you from reasoning, don't keep you from understanding, or hearing me say you have one chance," the judge said.

A third codefendant, Annalyse Klekar, 18, pleaded guilty in East Fork Justice Court to possession of a drug not lawfully introduced into interstate commerce.

She received a suspended 180-day sentence in Douglas County Jail and one year probation under the supervision of the Department of Alternative Sentencing.

The three shared a house in Sunridge that was raided Jan. 27.

Authorities recovered 15.8 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 127 Ecstasy tablets, cocaine, drug paraphernalia, prescription pills, a price list, firearms, GPS units and aviation.

All three had to accept the terms of their plea agreements to avoid prosecution on greater charges.

The district attorney's office agreed to recommend Wood's sentences be served concurrently which means he could serve 4-10 years.

Probation was up to the discretion of the judge.

Investigators identified Wood as a suspect in a burglary that occurred Jan. 25 at Minden-Tahoe Airport at his former employer's. He admitted taking the items.

A number of AK-47 and SKS assault rifles were stolen along with sporting-type firearms, portable global positioning system units and aviation electronics gear.

Gamble ordered Wood to pay $3,239.28 restitution for the burglary.