John Colbrae
A Lake Tahoe resident facing a mandatory prison sentence for subsequent felony driving under the influence was arrested in the parking lot of the Judicial & Law Enforcement Center on Tuesday, after he failed to appear in court the previous week.
John Edward Cobrae, 64, was supposed to appear on June 3 for a hearing seeking to remove an ankle monitor, something prosecutors opposed. Instead they sought his remand into custody because he was on probation for DUI when he was arrested.
Attorney Joe Laub said the monitor affected Cobrae’s work as a home inspector. District Judge Tod Young said that he issued the warrant after he was informed that it appeared it was interfered with.
Cobrae was arrested Feb. 2 for driving under the influence. Under Nevada, any DUI after a previous felony is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Prosecutors agreed to recommend a 2-5-year maximum sentence in connection.
Young said he would take into account Cobrae appeared to be turning himself in when he hears the case again on July 8.
• A Gardnerville resident received a suspended 1-3-year sentence for supplying .45 grams of methamphetamine for $20.
Jeffrey John Gabelman, 63, denied actually selling the drugs right up until the very last moment when prosecutor Bill Murphy said he could show the judge a video that showed him doing it.
He said he was helping a friend who asked him to get the drugs and deliver them to a woman who’d pulled up at his house.
Gabelman was given credit for three days time served.
• A Carson City man admitted three counts of felony burglary of a business on Tuesday.
David Joshua Harris Smith, 19, faces a maximum sentence of 15 years and a $30,000 fine.
Under an agreement prosecutors agreed they wouldn’t oppose probation and Smith agreed he wouldn’t seek diversion.
Smith admitted to nearly $3,000 in thefts at the Best Buy and Target that occurred between Dec. 21, 2024, and Feb. 2.