A 20-year-old Gardnerville man who admitted stealing his mother's jewelry to finance a heroin addiction was sentenced July 21 to Western Regional Drug Court.
Tyler Schroeder told District Judge Dave Gamble he began using drugs in middle school. He said his habit escalated to OxyContin and heroin. He said he wanted to go to drug court to regain his family's respect.
"I want to turn my life around. I don't want to be like some of those people in there (Douglas County Jail) who are older than me and have no life," Schroeder said. "I'm an embarrassment to my family."
He pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property and is currently serving 90 days in jail for driving under the influence.
Schroeder was accused of stealing a flat-screen television from the Village Motel, leaving Rancho Grande restaurant without paying his bill and possession of $3,000 in jewelry reportedly stolen from his mother.
Gamble told Schroeder drug court had to be the focus in his life.
"If it's not, you'll end up like those derelicts downstairs (in jail)," Gamble said.
If Schroeder is successful, he could receive a deferred sentence.
"When people fail drug court, they go to prison," Gamble said.
