Repeat Carson City drug dealer sentenced to at least 8 years in prison

A Carson City man was sentenced Tuesday morning for two counts of selling methamphetamine, both third offenses.

Donald Kelly Jr., 49, had pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a schedule 1 controlled substance with intent to sell, third offense. The offenses carry a term of three years to 15 years in prison.

Judge James Wilson sentenced Kelly to five years to nearly 13 years on the first count and three to 10 years on the second count. Judge Wilson ordered the sentences to run consecutively, allowing Kelly eligibility for parole after eight years.

Deputy District Attorney Melanie Porter argued Kelly’s criminal history started in 1987 and that he has been a drug user and dealer since, except when he has been in prison.

When she referenced his previous prison terms, she said, “nothing has fixed his behavior.”

Kelly’s attorney, Ben Walker, argued locking Kelly up for a long period does nothing but create a financial drain on the state and make it harder for Kelly to re-enter society once he is released.

“I don’t think locking up Donald Kelly forever is going to have much of an effect on meth in Carson,” Walker said.

Even though Kelly was dealing drugs, he was not living a life of luxury, he said.

“We all know it’s almost impossible to quit if you’re using,” Walker said. “You’re also selling. I view him as just another drug addict.”

The state gains nothing for locking him up for 12 years except there will be another 61-year-old ex-felon on the streets, he said.

Woman sentenced for DUI

A 37-year-old Carson City woman, who had previously been given a deferred sentence, told Judge Wilson she wanted to have it rescinded so she can serve her time for her felony DUI third offense or more.

Anna Currier was given a deferred sentence in 2011. Wilson sentenced her to a minimum of a year to more than two and a half years and a $2,000 fine.

“I’m ready to pay the price and move on,” Currier told the judge.

Carson woman pleads guilty to child neglect

Pamela Woodger, 28, of Carson City pleaded guilty Tuesday in district court to child neglect or endangerment.

Deputies found her home to be in “filthy conditions” with animal urine and feces on the floor and drug paraphernalia and prescription drugs within reach of the two children.

Her sentencing is set for April 30.

Carson man sentenced for trafficking meth

Todd Cantwell, 43, of Carson City was sentenced to a year to four years in prison and $5,000 fine for trafficking 4-14 grams of methamphetamine.

“After seven years of being clean, I thought that I had it beat. Obviously, I don’t,” Cantwell told Judge Wilson of his addiction.

Cantwell was arrested Jan. 4.