Three individuals recently appeared in Sixth Judicial District Court and gave their statements to the court. One individual was dishonorably discharged from probation, while two others were ordered to continue court supervision by probation and boot camp.
J’Mar Tarafa
At a probation violation evidentiary hearing in Sixth Judicial Dis-trict Court, J’Mar Tarafa changed his plea to guilty for six probation violations and was subsequently dishonorably discharged from probation.
Tarafa had participated in a diversion court program as a part of a deferred sentence and was reportedly inconsistent in following the program requirements. He was ordered to complete the diversion program last July after pleading no contest to a gross misdemeanor charge of conspiracy to make threats or convey false information concerning acts of terrorism.
At the time of the evidentiary hearing in February, Tarafa had spent a total of 216 days incarcerated. Both Public Defender Matthew Stermitz and Deputy District Attorney Richard Haas recommended that the court sentence Tarafa to 216 days credit for time served and dishonorably discharge him from probation, leaving him with a gross misdemeanor conviction on his criminal record.
“I think the mental health court is only as good as the participants’ willingness to engage in the process,” said Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Michael Montero.
The court dishonorably discharged Tarafa from probation and ordered that he complete paperwork relating to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to disallow Tarafa from owning or possessing any firearms in the future.
“Today it is with some regrets that I order that you be dishonorably discharged from probation. I hope that in the future if you need treatment you will seek it, rather than seeking the criminal justice system,” said Montero.
Cullen Hume
Cullen Hume, 20 years old, recently admitted to violating seven separate conditions of his probation. The court reinstated Hume’s probation and sent him to boot camp for six months.
Hume had been participating in the Humboldt County Drug Court Program as a condition of his 36-month probation terms. Hume’s participation in the drug court program was ordered after he admitted to several probation violations in November 2018.
Hume was originally ordered to complete probation in June 2018, after pleading guilty to a felony burglary charge. The court sentenced Hume to 15-38 months in prison, but suspended the sentence and placed him on probation for 36-months.
Hume’s legal counsel, Alternate Public Defender Maureen McQuil-lan said her client’s most recent arrest for domestic battery did not involve drugs or alcohol and commended Hume for being able to abstain from drugs and alcohol. McQuillan mentioned to the court that Hume has issues controlling his anger and behavior.
Montero spoke to Hume about Hume’s difficulty controlling emotions, which Hume agreed to. Montero said he had previously been the recipient of some of Hume’s frustration and has observed where judgment becomes clouded with anger.
“I truly hope that by giving you this additional opportunity, this might be another tool to work on behavior management issues and work on behavior modification that you need,” said Montero.
Hume subsequently told the court that he would just rather have his probation revoked and carry out the prison sentence. Montero reaffirmed that the court’s ruling is that Hume successfully completes the 6-month regimental discipline program run by the Nevada Department of Corrections (boot camp).
Carl Odoms
Carl Odoms previously pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance, a category D felony after being arrested on the charge in November 2018.
Since his release from custody, Odoms had been participating in the Humboldt County Drug Court Program as a condition of his release.
Humboldt County Alternate Public Defender Maureen McQuillan gave a recommendation to the court to give Odoms a suspended sentence with the condition that he continue participation in the 18-month drug court program. Deputy District Attorney Anthony Gordon also recommended drug court for Odoms, noting the defend-ant’s lengthy criminal history, devoid of any other drug convictions.
Montero pointed out that according to statute, two or more felonies would make Odoms ineligible for the diversion program, regardless of whether the prior felonies were drug-related or not.
In his allocution statement, Odoms apologized to the court and said he has a new life and family now, which he said he was eager to get back to.
The court ordered Odoms to 12–34 months in prison for the felony conviction, with 11 days credit for time served. Odoms was ordered to pay a $25 administrative assessment fee, $3 DNA collection fee, $60 forensic fee and $250 public defender fee.
Montero said that Odoms had not told the court whether he even wanted to continue participating in drug court and that he had pre-viously failed to complete DUI court, sending him to prison.
The prison sentence was suspended for 36 months on the condition Odoms follow standard probation requirements and obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow the recommendations of the evaluation at his own expense.
