Judge grants diversion program for drunk driver

A 39-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos tattoo artist was accepted Tuesday for a diversion program to keep drunk drivers out of prison despite the judge's misgivings that the suspect was committed to sobriety.

District Judge Dave Gamble told David Lesman Sanchez it wouldn't take long before he could tell if Sanchez was sincere that he was finished with alcohol.

"If you drink you are going to prison for a long, long time," Gamble said.

Gamble told prosecutor Karen Dustman he agreed with her assessment of Sanchez as a poor risk.

"I agree with everything you said. Because I have this program available, I can tell very quickly if he is serious," Gamble said.

Sanchez said he was through with alcohol and finally hit bottom after his Aug. 15 arrest on Kingsbury Grade for driving with a blood alcohol content of .19, more than twice the legal limit for driving in Nevada.

"I have family. I have children. I can't afford to lose this," Sanchez said. "What I've got is way more important than drinking."

Gamble said he was concerned at Sanchez's level of confidence.

"I don't know anything scarier than an alcoholic telling me they feel secure about their sobriety," Gamble said. "If you are successful with this, I want you to wake up every day without confidence."

Under the 3-5-year program, Sanchez will be on house arrest for six months, supervision, counseling, unannounced search and seizure, and biweekly appearances before a district court judge to monitor his compliance. He must pay all expenses associated with the diversion.

Sanchez's alternative was up to six years in Nevada State Prison and a fine for the third DUI conviction in seven years.