Prescription pill abuse leads to jail

District Judge Dave Gamble sentenced a 47-year-old Gardnerville man to an additional 120 days in Douglas County Jail and warned him he would die if he doesn't kick his prescription drug addiction.

Timothy Kamchee violated his probation on a theft conviction and was arrested after he got in two traffic accidents in Carson City the same day.

According to his probation officer, Kamchee took dozens of pills he said he was prescribed for bipolar disorder and back pain.

In one instance, the probation officer said, two days after Kamchee received a prescription for 60 Clonazepam tablets, he had two left. He was supposed to take two each day.

He was arrested by the Nevada Highway Patrol on Jan. 14 after two noninjury traffic accidents in Carson City. Witnesses described him as "sedated."

Kamchee also was behind in $1,309 in restitution.

He was convicted in 2008 of theft for stealing from lockers at two Carson Valley fitness centers.

He was sentenced in Carson City to 15 days in jail, suspended, for the traffic violations.

On Tuesday, he admitted violating his probation by taking medication in greater quantity than recommended and not paying restitution which has since been paid.

"It's difficult for me to imagine sending someone to prison for stealing wallets out of gym lockers, but I don't know what else to do," Gamble said.

He told Kamchee he was "pounding drugs like dog biscuits."

Kamchee admitted he was wrong to drive. He said he wanted to put the incident behind him.

"I have a family. I have a job," he said.

He admitted using drugs while he was attending 12-step programs.

Kamchee's lawyer, Derrick Lopez, said his client had arranged for a bed at an in-patient treatment program, but his probation officer said he didn't believe 30 days would be long enough.

"I haven't seen a person with this serious an addiction in a long time," said Gary Campbell. "I believe if he is given more pills other than the ones for his seizures, he should stay in custody. I don't think 30 days (in treatment) is going to do it."

Gamble sentenced Kamchee to 120 days in Douglas County Jail with a dishonorable discharge from probation. He encouraged the defendant to enroll in as long an in-patient treatment program as possible and said he would be released to participate.

"You will kill yourself or somebody else if you don't address this addiction problem," Gamble said.