A 28-year-old South Lake Tahoe woman was ordered Tuesday to serve four years in prison for possession of stolen property after multiple violations of her probation.
Kristen Hutsell was convicted in 2007 of stealing $14,000 in fur coats, watches and other items from her grandfather's Lake Tahoe residence.
She absconded from probation by cutting off an ankle monitor and was arrested in Washoe County on bad check charges.
Hutsell was readmitted to Western Nevada Regional Drug Court but re-offended and eventually lost custody of her four children.
Prior to her last lapse, Hutsell had 18-20 months sobriety, according to her lawyer Derrick Lopez.
This time, Lopez said, his client has undergone a change.
"For the first time ever, she doesn't really want to use. She wants to be done with it," Lopez said. "Instead of feeling like she hit rock bottom, Ms. Hutsell feels like she's at the top."
He said the father of her children indicated he wanted her to participate in parenting when she completes her prison term.
"She views this as a gift from God," Lopez said. "She feels she has nothing but good things to look forward to."
Hutsell apologized.
"I was relieved when the cops arrested me. I had been suicidal, but I've got a lot to live for. I am repulsed and disgusted by my actions and the drugs."
Gamble gave Hutsell credit for 240 days in custody. She must serve a minimum of 14 months before she is eligible for parole.
"The difficult thing during incarceration is to maintain the sense you have now and I hope you do," he said.
He recommended she display her children's pictures on her cell walls as a reminder.
A 20-year-old Gardnerville woman was sent to jail for 90 days Wednesday for violating probation on a previous charge of being under the influence of marijuana and heroin.
East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl told Breanna Querin he was incarcerating her to keep her alive.
"I think you're going to be dead inside of five years," EnEarl said. "I don't think you're going to make it."
Querin was arrested May 14 in Carson City for driving while intoxicated and minor consuming.
Her lawyer, Tod Young, said his client was intoxicated, but she left a party because guests were using heroin and she wanted to get away.
"It wasn't the right thing to be drinking and certainly not to drink and drive," Young said. "She didn't violate like she could have. I know that doesn't sound good."
Young said Querin would be readmitted to drug court.
"We're not doing much good," EnEarl said.
A 24-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos man pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of cruelty to animals and agreed to pay $76 restitution for a broken jail cell window.
East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl set sentencing for June 3, but said he would continue the date if Andrew Hamann is accepted for in-patient treatment for drug addiction and health issues.
Prosecutor Tom Gregory agreed to release Hamann on house arrest with an ankle bracelet and the condition that he have no contact with children, animals or weapons.
Hamann told EnEarl his addiction was so severe he was kicked out of college and lost an opportunity to become a professional dancer.
He turned himself in to authorities April 23, admitting he killed his puppy a year ago and his girlfriend's guinea pigs over the past few months.
He reportedly told investigators killing the animals gave him an adrenaline rush and he was frightened by his behavior.
A June 9 trial date was set for a 46-year-old Stateline man accused of illegally transferring his dead baby daughter's Social Security number and birth certificate to a woman for a driver's license.
Rodrigo Lopez Loranca was arrested in March after an investigation by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.
He was charged with transferring a document to establish false identification, a category E felony.
41-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of driving under the influence, admitting her blood-alcohol content was nearly four times the legal limit on both arrests.
Kathy Marie Olson was arrested March 27 and May 7. Both times, her alcohol content was .310 or above.
"You're an unguided missile. God didn't want you to kill anybody, that's how come you didn't," said East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl.
Olson promised it wouldn't happen again.
"You've been practicing for a long time to get to a .30," EnEarl said. "To quit like that is going to be difficult."
He sentenced her to 62 days with 60 suspended and 180 days with 175 suspended on the two convictions and gave her credit for time served in jail.
EnEarl placed her on probation for one year and warned Olson she would spend eight months in jail if she takes another drink.
"That's not going to happen," she said. "I don't want to go through this again."
She also has to pay fines and fees for supervision.
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office reported 16 contacts for domestic violence May 13-19.
There were seven verbal domestic disputes, four arrests for domestic battery, one referral to Washoe District Court for a temporary restraining order violation, two referrals to the district attorney for review, and two unsubstantiated or closed cases.
Eight juveniles witnessed domestic violence and one juvenile was a victim of domestic battery.
The Family Support Council assisted three people completing requests for protection orders through East Fork Justice Court which were approved.
Connie Richardson, sheriff's office domestic violence prevention coordinator, said the average range for domestic violence contacts is 12-18 per week for this time period. The average range for children witnessing domestic violence is 5-10 per week with juvenile suspects at 0-2 per week.
