Sentencing set May 25 for meth user

A 27-year-old Minden man pleaded guilty Tuesday to possession of methamphetamine and asked to participate in drug court.

Jerett McAlister admitted he was a methamphetamine addict.

"I hope I could get back into drug court," he told District Judge Dave Gamble.

McAlister, on probation for vehicular manslaughter, was arrested March 15 after his probation officer was tipped that McAlister allegedly was selling methamphetamine.

McAlister was found guilty Feb. 18 of vehicular manslaughter in the July 15, 2009, death of Christopher Medina, 22.

EnEarl sentenced him to 180 days in Douglas County Jail, suspended, and placed him on two years probation for the misdemeanor offense.

He remained in Douglas County Jail pending adjudication Wednesday in East Fork Justice Court for a probation violation.

His lawyer, Kris Brown, said McAlister successfully completed three years in drug court in 2009 stemming from a 2006 conviction in Carson City.

"After the death of Chris Medina, he relapsed," she said.

Prosecutor Karen Dustman said the district attorney's office opposed the drug court request.

"We don't think he's a suitable candidate," Dustman said.

Gamble set sentencing for May 25, after the completion of a pre-sentence investigation by state Parole and Probation.

He ordered McAlister to stay in custody pending sentencing. If he bails out, McAlister is to be under the supervision of the Department of Alternative Sentencing.

"I don't want you to use. You have the best shot at staying clean if you stay in custody," Gamble said.

Gamble said McAlister could be released for in-patient drug treatment as a Douglas County jail inmate.

McAlister said he wanted to get back to his girlfriend, two children and summer job.

"What I'd like you to do is quit using meth," Gamble said. "You'll never have a job or family if you don't. No. 1 on your list of things to do should be 'get clean.' No. 2 should be 'stay clean.'"