WINNEMUCCA - Derrick Hartman was variously described as a jack of all trades - professional fisherman, lumberman, construction worker - during a sentencing hearing Monday in Sixth District Court. Roger Whomes, Humboldt County deputy district attorney, said Hartman also was an entrepreneur when it came to making money from marijuana. Hartman, 30, was arrested in Humboldt County with 3 to 5 pounds of marijuana in his car last October. He was traveling east on Interstate 80 near Winnemucca when a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper clocked him doing 79 in a 75 mph area and talking on his cellphone, according to court records. The trooper initiated a traffic stop and reported an "overwhelming odor" of marijuana coming from Hartman's vehicle. When Hartman refused permission to search his vehicle, the trooper obtained a "telephonic" search warrant and found the marijuana in a duffle bag in the trunk. Hartman, who listed Great Falls, Mont., as his address at the time of his arrest, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance for sale in March. Public Defender Matt Stermitz said Hartman "definitely made some mistakes," but he has had to overcome obstacles in his life. "He's had to do it on his own," Stermitz said. "He knows work." Stermitz said Hartman's been a responsible client, checking in about court dates, going to work, paying taxes. He argued Hartman was deserving of probation rather than a stint in prison, which is what the Nevada Division of Parole and Probation recommended. "I think it would be better if he were contributing rather than a burden in prison," Stermitz said. Whomes said Hartman has been arrested 11 times, including three felonies, and was transporting the marijuana to make money. "He's a pretty good entrepreneur," he said. Whomes told Judge Michael Montero that if probation is granted, "put a hammer over his head" in the form of a lengthy prison sentence. "I think he's a pretty smart guy but he gets caught," Whomes said. Hartman said he and his girlfriend both smoked marijuana and he "just knew where to get better weed cheaper." He said he was waiting for the fishing season to come back when he got caught with the marijuana. Judge Montero sentenced Hartman to 19 months to 48 months in prison, which was suspended, and put him on probation for five years. He was fined $2,500 and ordered to pay $300 public defender reimbursement. "Mr. Hartman, I'm giving you a chance," Montero said.[[In-content Ad]]
