Burglar gets five years in prison

An 18-year-old Gardnerville resident was sentenced Monday to five years in Nevada State Prison for his part in a burglary ring that targeted Gardnerville Ranchos residences.

Timothy Morgan must serve 13 months before he is eligible for parole. He also was ordered to pay $41,809 restitution.

Codefendant Robert Blaik Jorgenson, 26, was sentenced Tuesday by District Judge Dave Gamble to a suspended five-year term and placed on 12 months of house arrest.

"This is one of the worst burglary cases I've ever seen," said District Judge Michael Gibbons. "I've known Mr. Morgan since he was a juvenile. I know this is drug-related. He made a whole bunch of victims in this case."

Lawyer Derrick Lopez acknowledged Morgan's record, but said his client had never been offered intervention.

"He only turned 18 this year," Lopez said. "His juvenile record goes back for years. He was offered no significant intervention during his time in the juvenile system. The most significant intervention has been this four months in jail. He has been sober and had a chance to think about what he's done."

Morgan was identified as the principal in more than a dozen burglaries in the Gardnerville Ranchos over the summer described as "kick-ins."

Morgan was arrested after a neighbor recognized him as he was attempting to pry open a window at his grandmother's house.

Many of the items were recovered at the sand pits in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

Gibbons rejected a recommendation to send Morgan to a six-month regimental discipline program.

"What did you get for all this? You got high a few times? You destroyed your life. You got a certain thrill sneaking into other people's houses and taking their things. This is a very hard way to learn a lesson," Gibbons said.

Morgan apologized.

"Anything you could do for my sentence, I would be cooperative to change my life."

Morgan and two others were arrested after deputies followed their vehicle from the Gardnerville Ranchos sand pits to Minden where they were caught near Carson Valley Inn.

Melanie Marie Kern, 23, of Gardnerville pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property and was referred to drug court.

Gamble warned Jorgenson, who has a lengthy juvenile record and two felony convictions, that he would send him to prison if he violates probation.

"It's fairly hard for me to believe I'm doing what I'm doing," Gamble said. "I hope the people who see a change in you are right."

Jorgenson seemed to question another year on house arrest until Gamble said he could go to prison instead.

He must also successfully complete drug court and is subject to random search and seizure for drugs, alcohol or stolen property.

If drug court officials refuse to accept him, Gamble ordered Jorgenson to return for re-sentencing.

He is to stay away from Morgan and must maintain full-time employment or education during his five-year probation.

"I know my criminal record is very bad," Jorgenson said. "I believe there is a brighter future for me. I know prison isn't a place I want to be."

Both defense attorney Tod Young and prosecutor Mark Jackson said they believed Jorgenson was not involved in the break-ins, but did take the stolen property in an effort to get methamphetamine.

"He has a horrible, horrible track record," Jackson said. "There's no doubt in my mind that what has fed Mr. Jorgenson is methamphetamine."