Woman gets 10 years in drug trafficking

A 44-year-old Carson City woman was sentenced Monday to 10 years in Nevada State Prison for distributing methamphetamine in Carson Valley.

District Judge Michael Gibbons sentenced Twila Leeling to 10 years on one count of trafficking in a controlled substance and five years in prison on a second charge to be served concurrently.

She must serve a minimum of 26 months on the first charge and 18 months on the second to be eligible for parole.

"You've been involved in this for too long," Gibbons said. You are doing this for profit and you got caught."

Leeling's lawyer, Alan Erb, said his client tried to provide information to investigators in exchange for a reduced sentence, but the officers declined.

Prosecutor Michael McCormick said Leeling "played games" with officers.

"She told us she would have to get out of jail to go to Reno and get re-involved with the drug culture," McCormick said.

He said officers tried several times to work with her, "but she was always kind of flaking around," McCormick said.

Erb said Leeling was afraid to cooperate because of fear of reprisal.

"She was beaten quite badly in Reno. She had to go to the hospital," he said.

Leeling was arrested in March along with four others in connection with a six-weeks' sheriff's investigation into methamphetamine sales in Carson Valley.

Brad Bullion, 45, of Gardnerville was sentenced Monday to a suspended three-year sentence in Nevada State Prison for possession of controlled substance for sale. He was placed on three years probation.

Vehicles owned by Leeling and Bullion and used in the transactions were forfeited to the sheriff's office.

Bullion apologized to his family and the community.

"I am sorry for what I did," he said. "I caused a lot of people a lot of pain and I would like to get this behind me."

Bullion must abstain from drugs and alcohol and undergo substance abuse testing and counseling. He was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.

He is to have no contact with Leeling or any of the other suspect and must reimburse Douglas County $500 attorney's fees.

"This is your one chance," Gibbons said.