Carson City man gets up to 10 years in prison for felony DUI

A Carson City man was sentenced to a little over two years to 10 years in prison following a December DUI.

Mike Lillie, 36, was sentenced in district court by Judge James Russell, who followed the recommendation by Parole and Probation. He was also given a $2,000 fine.

Lillie pleaded guilty to DUI after a prior DUI conviction Feb. 19. He was pulled over Dec. 28 after a deputy ran his California plates and found them to be expired.

When the deputy made contact with Lillie, he “spoke with lethargic slurred speech,” according to the arrest report. The deputy could also smell alcohol coming off of him.

“He is falling on his sword in front of the court,” Defense Attorney William Murphy said.

Murphy pointed out Lillie was pulled over for a suspended registration and plates, not for erratic driving.

“He has taken full responsibility,” Murphy said.

The state concurred with the suggested sentence by Parole and Probation.

“I don’t want to spend my time in prison,” Lillie told the court. “I want to learn from this, and I will. I will make sure this doesn’t happen again. I know I messed up.”

Russell told Lillie he hoped his words were sincere.

“If they are, you should be commended for that,” Russell said.

GUILTY for exploiting

A 52-year-old Carson City woman pleaded guilty to the exploitation of an elderly person, $250 to $5,000, Monday morning in district court.

Sandra Randall was originally charged with three counts of burglary and one count of exploitation of the elderly. On the current charge, she faces two to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Randall took $4,980 worth of jewelry from the home of a 67-year-old Carson City woman. Randall was employed to clean the woman’s house, among others. All of the jewelry Randall took was sold to local pawnshops, according to court documents.

As part of the plea agreement, Randall will have to pay $5,000 in restitution. When Russell asked if she was pleading guilty because she is guilty, she replied she is. Sentencing is set for 9 a.m. June 3.

guilty of POSSESSION

A 19-year-old Carson City man pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance Monday morning in district court. Joseph Porter was originally arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance by a prisoner and on a possession-of-a-controlled-substance warrant out of Carson City on March 2.

Porter will be sentenced at 9 a.m. May 28.

GUILTY TO CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT LARCENY

A 28-year-old Carson City woman pleaded guilty in district court Monday morning to conspiracy to commit grand larceny, a gross misdemeanor, following a March 4 incident in which she attempted to steal $1,002 worth of merchandise from Kohl’s, according to the arrest report.

Lindsie Newman hid 40 items in her purse and a plastic bag before walking out of the store, according to the report.

She will be sentenced at 9 a.m. June 3.

woman sentenced in substance case

Michelle Hays of California was sentenced Monday in district court for possession of a controlled substance. Hays, of Coleville, Calif., was given a deferred sentence with condition of probation not to exceed three years.

Hays told the court she had already learned her lessons.

“I think this is an extremely close case,” Russell said. “I think maybe you earned a felony, but, I’m going to follow the recommendation of Parole and Probation.”

Part of Hays’ reasoning for deferment was so she could help support her son, who is on probation and would not be able to interact with her were she to have a felony on her record.

“What an introduction to meth, by your own mother, at 10,” Defense Attorney Kay Ellen Armstrong told the court.