Mushroom dealer gets six years in prison

A 24-year-old Minden man who admitted supplying nearly 500 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms to a codefendant was sentenced Monday to six years in prison.

Ryan Moore must serve two years before he is eligible for parole.

"This is too serious of an offense for probation," said District Judge Michael Gibbons. "When you commit a crime and do it intentionally, this is the price you pay."

Codefendant Leslie Stein was sentenced to 25 years in prison and must serve 10 years before she is eligible for parole.

Moore was given a break because he provided substantial assistance to law enforcement in other drug cases and didn't have a prior record.

"I am very sorry for what I've done," Moore said. "Due to the fact that I was extremely high and inebriated, I was extremely vulnerable to the whims of other people. I don't wish to be vulnerable any more."

His lawyer, Tod Young, said Moore was a young man "who made a foolish, foolish mistake" and looked for ways to make it right.

Moore had been released on bail pending sentencing but was sent back to jail when he tested positive for alcohol.

"I don't see you took advantage of the time you had while out of custody to make sure this never happened again," Gibbons said.

Moore faced up to 15 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

n A Las Vegas man who has been behind on his child support payments since 1992 was sentenced Monday to three years in Nevada State Prison.

District Judge Michael Gibbons told Roy Allen Smith, 53, that he'll still owe $14,550.50 when he gets out.

"It may be like getting blood from a turnip," said Smith's lawyer, Derrick Lopez.

"He lives in weekly hotels, his wife is sick, he's not out committing new crimes," Lopez said.

Smith's ex-wife attended the court hearing.

"I haven't heard from this man for years. He hasn't supported the children," she said. "If he was willing to pay anything, that would have helped. He just disappeared."

Smith said he'd relocated to Las Vegas and his new wife became ill. He said he tried to register his address with the probation department but gave up because they kept making him wait for paperwork.

His last payment was $44.44 in July 2004.

Smith had been ordered to pay $300 monthly, then $500 a month to catch up with the arrearages which originally totaled more than $25,000.

Gibbons told Smith there were several things he could have done rather than abscond from probation.

"You've had a couple of years of total freedom trying to avoid your responsibility," Gibbons said.

n A 23-year-old woman who admitted selling methamphetamine from a Minden motel was sentenced Tuesday to four years in Nevada State Prison.

Christina Basagoitia must serve 12 months before she is eligible for parole.

"The best thing I can do is let her see what the inside of prison looks like," said District Judge Dave Gamble.

Basagoitia was arrested June 13 with a codefendant and originally charged with multiple felonies.

She has had several prior arrests, but lawyer Tod Young pointed out that this was her first felony conviction and asked for probation because she provided assistance to law enforcement.

"That takes you out of the realm of people who run in that circle," Young said.

"By exposing herself, she has removed herself. Her willingness to quit running with that gang put a wall between herself and them."

For the first time since he's been representing her, Young said Basagoitia was "giving up this stupid dope person that she's been."

Prosecutor Mark Jackson said Basagoitia had received numerous breaks and had several opportunities for drug rehabilitation.

"You have to look at how well she does," he said. "It's really easy for someone in jail to talk about change they want to effectuate. But once they get out, it's a lot different. Her actions speak louder than words."

Basagoitia was given credit for 133 days in custody.