DUI defendant accused of drinking 12-pack on courthouse lawn

Bail was set at $100,000 Monday for a 21-year-old Gardnerville man who reportedly drank a 12-pack of beer on the courthouse lawn while he was out of custody for drunk driving.

Martin Ruiz was jailed Oct. 10 after officials found him drinking beer at 9 p.m. on the courthouse lawn. He told deputies he was despondent because his girlfriend broke up with him and planned to turn himself in.

Ruiz asked Gibbons to release him on his own recognizance.

"I will not touch another beer or drive," he said. "I have a bicycle and I want to get back to work to save money."

Ruiz was arrested Jan. 26, a few days after his 21st birthday, following a 7 a.m. collision on Kingsbury Grade.

He reportedly drive 70 mph down the grade with a blood-alcohol content of .104, over the legal limit of .08 for driving in Nevada.

Ruiz and his passenger were injured along with the driver of the other vehicle.

Ruiz was charged with driving under the influence causing substantial bodily harm and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted at trial.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge. He rejected a plea agreement which recommended a minimum sentence of 2-5 years in Nevada State Prison.

Prosecutor Michael McCormick argued against releasing Ruiz on house arrest.

"This is no longer about what's convenient for this young man," he said. "It's what's in the best interest of the community."

Gibbons moved the trial from Jan. 29 to Dec. 11.

The judge said he was surprised that Ruiz had been released on his own recognizance after the original arrest.

"To release you now on your own recognizance would be completely inappropriate," Gibbons said.

"Justice Court should have never let you out like they did. That was a little too much freedom for you. Prison is mandatory if you are convicted," he said.

Ruiz, who was forbidden to drive after the accident, received a traffic citation July 24 because he was driving a vehicle without insurance or registration.

He reportedly told officials he was moving the vehicle to another parking space when he was arrested.