Wesley David Strickler, a 20-year-old Winnemucca man was recently ordered to serve a one to four-year prison sentence after admitting to felony burglary and grand larceny of a firearm.
Last year Strickler admitted to entering a vehicle with the commit to commit theft, grand larceny, petit larceny or obtain money, and admitted to stealing a nine-millimeter firearm from an individual, both between December 2018 and January 2019.
In court, it was determined by a substance use evaluation that Strickler suffers from drug addiction, including a severe opioid use disorder and moderate amphetamine use disorder.
In November, Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Michael Montero granted a 458 diversion program application to allow Strickler to avoid a felony and seek treatment for his substance use issues instead.
The program included 36 months of probation, completion of the Humboldt County Adult Drug Court program and other fees and conditions.
If Strickler would have completed drug court, he would have avoided a felony conviction at 20 years old and prison.
Montero said that Strickler was given the opportunity at two different inpatient treatment programs as well as boot camp, in addition to drug court; he either left or failed to participate in all of them.
After the most recent failed program, Strickler’s diversion program was rescinded and he was ordered to serve one to four years in prison on both the burglary and grand larceny charge, with both sentences to be served concurrently, as well as now having two felony convictions on his record at age 20.
In addition to the prison sentence, Strickler was ordered to pay a $3 DNA collection fee, $25 administrative assessment fee and $500 public defender fee.
“It’s hard, I don’t want anyone to think we gave up on this young man but he needs to meet us halfway and hasn’t done that yet,” said Montero. “My hope is that after serving this sentence that Strickler can see that there could be a different life and want that.”
