Joy ride, break-in earn five-year prison term

A 20-year-old Reno man was sentenced Monday to five years in Nevada State Prison for driving a stolen vehicle and breaking into a Glenbrook residence while fleeing Douglas County deputies.

"The bottom line is you're endangering yourself and others," District Judge Michael Gibbons told Anthony Karnes. "I just can't trust you. At a very young age, you are going into prison."

Karnes was arrested Oct. 9, 2007, in connection with two stolen vehicles found near Glenbrook. He was sent to the state-run regimental discipline program but was kicked out.

His lawyer, Jennifer Yturbide, said her client had mental health issues, and suggested he attend the Salvation Army adult rehabilitation center.

She said he first drank alcohol at age 5 and had been using drugs since he was 12.

"We haven't met the level of treatment necessary for the addictions he has," Yturbide said.

Prosecutor Kris Brown said Karnes was supposed to be participating in Washoe County drug court when the offense was committed.

"He was afforded treatment," Brown said. "If he didn't take it, that's his problem. He's just going to thumb his nose at his probation officer and say, 'Take me to prison.'"

Karnes told Gibbons he realized he must change or he'll spend the rest of his life incarcerated.

"What I've been doing in life is just being a kid, not taking anything seriously," Karnes said. "I don't know what it's like to live as an adult. It scares me. Whatever I've been doing out there ain't going to work."

Karnes pleaded guilty to possession of a motor vehicle.

With 203 days credit for time served, and a 12-month minimum before he is eligible for parole, Karnes could be released soon.

"Let that be motivation for you to perform as well as you can," Gibbons said. "You could be out very soon."

He ordered Karnes to report to court the first Monday after his release to figure out payment for the $29,463 he owes in restitution for damage to the vehicle and residence.

n A 47-year-old Gardnerville Ranchos man was sentenced Monday to five years in Nevada State Prison for a second felony conviction of driving under the influence.

District Judge Michael Gibbons told Stephen T. Jackson he would be eligible for parole in two years.

Jackson's last felony conviction dates to 1993. He was arrested Feb. 20 at Tillman and Kimmerling streets with a blood-alcohol content of .11, over the legal limit of .08 for driving in Nevada.

Even though it had been 15 years, the Nevada Legislature changed the law so that with a prior felony conviction, any subsequent convictions make the next charge a felony.

"You were stopped for a pretty minor offense - not using a turn signal - but you had been drinking and knew you shouldn't be driving," Gibbons said. "Although your prior conviction is quite old, you are a person who just cannot have that first drink."