Boot camp for young burglar

A 19-year-old burglar who admitting stealing $12,000 from the home of a childhood friend, was sentenced Tuesday to a regimental discipline program, a last chance to prove he wants to quit criminal behavior that began as a juvenile.

District Judge Dave Gamble told Garrett Cunningham he would have no hesitation about sending him to prison for up to 10 years for burglary if he fails "boot camp."

"I've heard you tell me so many times, since you were a little kid, that you were ready to change. Here you stand - just as I predicted, I hate to say - because you are not real," Gamble said.

"If you successfully complete this program, I will know you want to change your life. If not, I will have no qualms about sending a 19-year-old to prison," the judge said.

Cunningham was the third defendant to be sentenced after the Oct. 9, 2009, burglary of a residence in Johnson Lane that was used as a party house while the owners were on vacation.

One of the victims spoke to Cunningham on Tuesday about the damage he had done to her family and how she had considered him as a friend.

"You came to my house after you did this and you hugged me and said you were sorry," she said. "Did you learn anything? You destroyed a whole family. Twenty years of my life are gone."

The woman said she and her family were forced to move from the residence after the burglary.

She said her family felt threatened by juvenile offenders who were out of custody in connection with the crime.

"We're prisoners. We can't leave home because of the kids that are still out," she said. "I don't think you should be back on the street."

The homeowner told deputies he and his family left on vacation Oct. 3 and returned Oct. 12 to discover someone had entered the house. Nearly $12,000 had been stolen from a safe along with checks made out to the family business.

A neighbor told the residents there had been a large juvenile party at the house while they were gone. According to reports, the party was held to cover up the burglary, so a guest could be blamed for the crime instead of the suspects.

Cunningham, two other young adults, and several juveniles were convicted of the offense.

Lawyer Tod Young said Cunningham turned himself in and had taken responsibility for his actions.

"Everyone seemed to minimize their own behavior and blame the others more. Garrett is taking responsibility for what he did," Young said.

He said his client and the victim's son had been "friends forever."

"He is really sorry," Young said.

He admitted that Cunningham spent his share of the take and most of an injury settlement from an auto accident on drugs.

"He's gotten himself to a level of opiates and heroin. He's been afforded opportunities through the juvenile justice system that didn't help," Young said.

Since he turned himself in on the burglary, Cunningham had been in Douglas County Jail for 47 days and served 30 days at an inpatient rehabilitation center.

Cunningham had requested admission to Western Nevada Regional Drug Court so he could live at home and work.

"I'm sorry," Cunningham said, turning to face the victim in court. "I know I did wrong. I robbed my friend's house. I am here to take the consequences."

Gamble delayed sentencing pending successful completion of the six-month regimental discipline program operated by the Nevada Department of Corrections.

The program is designed to keep young offenders out of prison.

"If you successfully complete it, generally speaking, you will be put on probation and avoid prison," Gamble said. "If you fail because of any unwillingness on your part, I will send you to prison.

Gamble said if Cunningham fails because of physical limitations from his auto accident, he would come back before Gamble for sentencing.

He ordered Cunningham to appear in District Court the Tuesday after he completes the program.