Drug traffickers sent to prison

Two Carson City residents who admitted selling methamphetamine in Douglas County were sent to prison Monday for a minimum of one year each.

District Judge Michael Gibbons sentenced Eloy Ramos-Montes De Oca, 26, to four years in Nevada State Prison with parole eligibility after one year.

Codefendant Fernando Salcedo-Navarro, 41, was sentenced to three years in prison with 12-month parole eligibility.

Both men face deportation at the conclusion of their prison sentences. If they remain in the United States, Gibbons ordered them to pay fees and fines.

Each owes restitution to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office which orchestrated the purchases.

The two men were arrested in a Carson City raid on May 26. At the time Douglas County Sheriff's Office Street Enforcement Team members had already conducted three drug buys with the men.

They were charged with trafficking and sales of methamphetamine.

As part of a plea agreement, both men admitted to one count of trafficking in exchange for dropping the other charges in Carson City and Douglas County.

Attorneys for the men said they delivered the drugs as a favor to a friend who was allowing them to live rent-free with him in Carson City.

"He had no idea how severe the penalties were," said Derrick Lopez, attorney for Ramos-Montes De Oca. "When he was asked to do it, he was living at this guy's house. He did it as a favor. He knows he had a choice. He was not compelled to do it."

Attorney Kris Brown, representing Salcedo-Navarro, said her client also felt obligated.

"He was allowed to live there without paying rent. He was asked to make delivery and bring back the money," she said.

Neither man was paid for the transactions.

Prosecutor Erik Levin said Nevada statute did not differentiate whether the defendants were paid or gave drugs away.

"Both admit coming to this country illegally, that's a criminal offense," Levin said. "Neither of them should have been there in the first place. Everyone knows the acts were illegal and wrong."

Speaking through interpreters, both men apologized.

Ramos-Montes De Oca said he was through with drugs.

"Once I am deported back to Mexico, I plan to begin a new life next to my girlfriend. I will work honestly and I will never come back to the United States," he said.

Salcedo-Navarro echoed the same sentiment.

"I am sorry for the damage I have done to my family - my wife and my daughters. I promise never to do this again," he said.

Gibbons said he took into consideration the fact that neither defendant had serious prior convictions.

"You were participating in this transaction as a favor to someone else, there was no profit motive. This was illegal and wrong and happened more than one time," GIbbons said.

The judge said he gave Ramos-Montes De Oca a longer sentence because he was involved in more transactions.

"He was more of a player, more involved than Mr. Salcedo-Navarro," Gibbons said.

Each man was given credit for 94 days served in Douglas County Jail.