Parole and probation sweep nets 15 arrests

In a city-wide sweep Saturday morning of more than 100 homes, a joint task force of law enforcement officials arrested 15 people who violated the conditions of their parole or probation, an official said.

"This sends a message to the community that we are here to protect them. More importantly, it sends a message to the user that we are out here, we are watching, and if we come in contact with you and you're using, we will arrest you," said Rich Tiran, Nevada Parole and Probation spokesman.

Tiran said some 30 officers from the Department of Parole and Probation, Carson City Alternative Sentencing, Carson City Sheriff's Department, Douglas County Alternative Sentencing and Washoe County Alternative Sentencing visited the homes of individuals who in the past six months have given a positive urine test for the use of a controlled substance.

"We're going door-to-door making sure they are complying with all the conditions of their parole or probation, and making sure they are not reoffending by committing new offenses and not using controlled substance again," he said.

The most serious offender in Saturday's roundup was Manuel Medrano.

On probation for failing to appear in court on a drug charge, Medrano was found at his house on East Fifth Street about 7:15 a.m. He failed his drug test and officers found drug paraphernalia in his pocket. Ultimately, 7.1 grams of methamphetamine, "packaged for sale," was discovered in a drawer in the garage, said Tiran.

After Medrano was placed into a patrol car, his mother was led down the driveway, handcuffed and still wearing her pajamas and slippers.

"He's 27 years old," she pleaded with the officer. "I've done my part."

She was eventually released.

Tiran said four people tested positive for methamphetamine use, two tested positive for the use of opiates, one tested positive for alcohol, one tested positive for marijuana and one tested positive for both opiates and methamphetamine. One sex-offender, with a history of drug abuse, was arrested for failing to register.

"Anytime we can take an individual off the streets who is using drugs or selling drugs, it's a success. A bigger success would have been if we had made no arrests," Tiran said. "But 80 percent of the individuals we had contact with were in compliance and were drug free."

William Shoemaker, on three years probation for using a controlled substance in Lyon County, was watching college football when officers knocked on the door of his Schulz Drive home.

Standing barefoot in his front yard, Shoemaker, 45, waited confidently for the result of his drug test. It was negative.

"Congratulations. Your actually doing things the way your supposed to," Tiran said to him. "Keep it up."

Shoemaker said being on probation wasn't that difficult, you just had to toe the line.

"I got myself here, so I got to go along with it," he admitted.

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