Teen sent to boot camp for drugs

An 18-year-old Indian Hills youth was ordered to complete a six-month regimental discipline program before he is sentenced on drug charges.

"If you flake out on this program, I promise you that you are going to prison," District Judge Dave Gamble told Casey Smith.

Smith pleaded guilty to trafficking in a controlled substance stemming from a Feb. 28 drug sale to an undercover officer.

Gamble continued Smith's sentencing Tuesday pending completion of the state-run program.

-- A 37-year-old woman was sentenced to five years probation Tuesday and ordered to pay $54,658 restitution for embezzling from Petroleum Card Services of Gardnerville.

Laura Kelly apologized to her coworkers for taking the funds which she lost gambling.

"I know you did put your trust in me and I let you down," she said. "I thought I had control over my gambling and I got sucked back in. I have no excuses for what I did. I am really sorry."

In addition to restitution, Gamble ordered her to stay out of casinos and pay restitution at $250 a month.

"A lot of people with gambling problems don't resort to stealing. That's the crime here," he said.

Kelly promised to repay the loss.

"I'll pay back every dime even if it takes the rest of my life," she said.

Kelly was employed for two years as a customer service representative at Petroleum Card Services.

The company works with First Data Bank to process credit card transactions and merchant accounts for gas stations nationwide.

Kelly reportedly had access to a database of secured merchant account information and used that information to embezzle the money from June through November 2006, according to court documents.

She had a misdemeanor conviction in 1996 in Carson City for a similar offense.

Manager Cheryl Bertucci said she worked in the same room with Kelly and had no idea she was tampering with accounts.

"She was stealing from customers of ours which makes our company a huge risk," Bertucci said in court.

She said she didn't know of Kelly's prior conviction and feared that she would commit a similar crime at another business.

"I didn't think it was possible that somebody you knew was even capable of doing this," Bertucci said.

Gamble sentenced Kelly to five years in prison, suspended. If she ends up going to prison, she would have to serve 16 months before she is eligible for parole.

-- A 34-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos man was sentenced Tuesday to three years probation for selling methamphetamine.

Corey Doan was also ordered to complete Western Regional Drug Court and serve 120 days of residential confinement.

He must abstain from drugs and alcohol during his probation and have no contact with co-defendant Bradley Bullion.

"Don't come back here," District Judge Dave Gamble said.

Lawyer Derrick Lopez said his client asked to be assigned to drug court "because he knows the success rate is much higher."

Doan also paid $500 restitution.

"I apologize to the court, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the community and my family for the embarrassment of my actions," Doan said.

He told the judge he has been attending counseling since his arrest.

"I think I am making great strides," Doan said.

Gamble reminded Doan of prior probation violations on an earlier offense.

"You don't have a good history on probation," Gamble said. "If I see you back here, you are going to prison."

He suspended a five-year sentence in Nevada State Prison. If Doan ends up in prison, he must serve 18 months before he is eligible for parole.