Six years added to prison term

District Judge Dave Gamble added six years Tuesday to the sentence of a Nevada State Prison inmate already serving a maximum of 12 years for a northern Nevada check kiting ring.

Gamble sentenced Kenneth Hall, 26, of Carson City, to six years to be served consecutively and ordered him to pay more than $5,000 restitution.

Last month, Hall admitted cashing checks in Douglas County between Oct. 22-30, 2008. He pleaded guilty to felony burglary.

In a plea agreement, the district attorney agreed not to seek habitual criminal enhancement or file additional charges.

Hall agreed to pay restitution, estimated at nearly $5,000, and testify truthfully if he's called as a witness in other cases.

According to reports, the check-cashing ring operated in Douglas and Washoe counties and Carson City where Hall also faced charges.

Gamble ordered Hall to serve a minimum of one year on the Douglas County charges before he is eligible for parole.

Hall's attorney, Kris Brown, asked that Hall be sentenced concurrent to the Washoe County time for which he is in prison.

"This was all part of the same check-writing scam," she said. "Pretty much everything in his life has had to do with drugs. He realizes if he doesn't receive treatment and complete the follow-through - which is his obligation - he'll be spending pretty much the rest of his life in prison," Brown said.

Hall admitted using methamphetamine 15 minutes after he was released from prison for a prior offense.

"I'm both ashamed and embarrassed at the things I have done and how I have continued to act as an adult," he said.

"I look forward to being able to overcome my addiction," Hall said.