Tearful defendant thanks judge for alcohol rehab

A tearful 28-year-old Minden woman, arrested three months ago for stealing a $3.69 bottle of vodka from a convenience store, thanked East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl on Wednesday for sending her to alcohol rehabilitation.

"I've been sober for 93 days," Jessica Lang told EnEarl. "This is the longest I have been sober in 10 years. That's sad. I hate being an alcoholic."

She recently completed a 30-day in-patient treatment program.

"Rehab was very good. I learned tools I didn't have before and how not to relapse," she said.

EnEarl released her from jail on Wednesday and placed her under the supervision of the alternative sentencing department.

Lang said she had permission to live with her parents as long as she stays sober.

"I'll basically be on house arrest. There will be no relapse for me," she said. "I can't lose my sobriety. If I do, I will lose my family and I will be homeless. I drink too much and it's killing me."

When Lang was arrested in September, she was wearing her hair in a mohawk. On Wednesday it was close-cropped.

"You were pretty upset the last time you were in here. When I sentenced you, you were facing six months in jail. You look healthy now," EnEarl said.

Lang said she was enrolled in intensive out-patient counseling, and vocational education classes. She plans to enroll in Western Nevada College in the summer to work on completing her bachelor's degree.

"I don't want to start school this semester because I am focusing on my recovery," she said.

Lang's original release date was Jan 26, but EnEarl let her out of jail early.

"If you want to thank me, stay out of jail," he said.