Methamphetamine dealer sent to prison

Alejandro Monroy-Hernandez offered an apology Tuesday before being sentenced in Carson City District Court to up to 15 years in prison for trafficking methamphetamine.

"I asked God for forgiveness, and I ask for forgiveness from this nation," he said, with his hand raised upward. "I'm an honorable man and I respect everyone here."

Monroy-Hernandez pleaded guilty to three counts of trafficking, stemming from his arrest on Oct. 5, 2004 in which a confidential informant gave information to investigators on Monroy-Hernandez' dealings.

Defense Attorney Karla Butko said her client wished to serve his time and return to Mexico to his four children and wife.

"This particular gentleman made a very big mistake in his life," she said. "He's here begging for mercy from this court. He knows he's going to prison."

Judge Bill Maddox gave Monroy-Hernandez two to five years each on three counts of trafficking methamphetamine. He was given credit for 385 days served in jail. Monroy-Hernandez will be deported to Mexico once he serves his prison time.

In other cases before Maddox on Tuesday:

• Ryan Keith Omalza, 30, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance.

• Alba Alegria, 33, pleaded guilty to one count of theft. She will be sentenced June 6.

• Steven Jon Hipple, 38, was sentenced to three years' probation, with a suspended prison sentence of 12 to 30 months, on a charge of attempted theft. Hipple was arrested after stealing a generator and leading police on a chase in the hills of East Carson City in November. He must also pay $5,372 in restitution.

• Kane Morris, 30, pleaded guilty to attempted burglary in an assault on two tenants at a Stewart Street motel room in January. He faces 12 to 60 months in prison and a $10,000 fine when sentenced on June 6.

• Daved Joseph Seelye, 28, was sentenced to 12 to 30 months in prison on third-offense drunken driving. The judge ordered the sentence be served at the same time as a third-offense drunken-driving conviction April 13 out of Washoe County.

"There were two things that got you here," said Maddox prior to sentencing. "First, you got drunk - which is a personal decision between you and your liver, I guess. The second thing is you got into a car to drive. That's my business."

• William Stephen Vance, 48, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance. He will be sentenced June 6.

• Jason Wiles, 38, was sentenced to 12 to 30 months in prison on felony third-offense drunken driving.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.