Woman ready to plead to drug offense

A 46-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos woman is set to plead guilty May 11 in District Court to one count of obtaining controlled substances by fraud.

In exchange for Roxanne Mason's guilty plea, several other burglary and false prescription charges are to be dismissed.

She waived her right Wednesday to a preliminary hearing in East Fork Justice Court.

Mason is serving a sentence in Douglas County Jail for her second conviction of driving under the influence.

While the DUI arrest was pending, Mason was accused of obtaining methadone from pharmacies at Rite-Aid, Walgreens and Smith's between Feb. 1-28 with fraudulent prescriptions.

East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl refused to consider releasing Mason on her own recognizance once she completes the driving under the influence sentence.

Her lawyer, Tod Young, said Mason was worried about animals at her home after her husband reportedly told her he was going to move.

"She's going to ask to go into drug court," Young said. "This charge of opiate addiction she will freely admit to."

Prosecutor Laurie Trotter said she was concerned that the alleged drug offense occurred shortly after Mason was arrested for the DUI.

"I think this time in custody would help her," Trotter said.

Mason said she recently found a place to live and a job and had 30 days of sobriety.

"I don't question your sincerity about maintaining your sobriety," EnEarl said. "What I question is your ability. You would really mess things up if you used again and went next door (District Court) and tested positive. It's going to be hard enough with a month of sobriety to quit."