Man faces prison for cocaine trafficking

A Carson City man faces up to six years in Nevada State Prison and a $50,000 fine after pleading guilty Monday to trafficking in cocaine.

Aurelio Cervantes-Carillo, 26, will not be eligible for probation. Sentencing is set for Aug. 30.

Speaking through an interpreter, Cervantes-Carillo asked Judge Michael Gibbons if he could just be deported and avoid prison.

"An element of the plea agreement has to do with the fact that he is not an American citizen and is subject to deportation," said lawyer Tod Young. "His request is to have that happen immediately."

Gibbons said it wasn't up to district court.

"This court is not involved in deportation. This court must sentence you to prison. You can ask the parole board to release you early for deportation."

Cervantes-Carillo persisted in his request to the judge.

"He says because he has been a good man and has never done this before, maybe could he have all this not happen and get another chance to go on and be a good man," Young said, speaking for his client.

Gibbons said the district attorney's office filed the charges and he didn't have the authority to dismiss the case.

"Prison is mandatory," Gibbons said. "The original charges were more serious and you would have faced a longer sentence."

Gibbons said the only chance Cervantes-Carillo could have to avoid prison would be if he supplied substantial assistance in identifying, prosecuting or the arrest of other individuals involved in drug trafficking.

He , his brother and 15-year-old nephew were arrested June 8 after a raid on his Lorraine Street residence in Carson City.

"He understands," Young said. "I think we can proceed now."

Cervantes-Carillo admitted selling cocaine in an undercover operation June 8 at the Best Buy parking lot in north Douglas County.

He reportedly sold just under 28 grams for $1,200.

Cervantes-Carillo said he knew the substance was cocaine and that the transaction was illegal.