John Ambrose Picotte III was recently sentenced to serve a term of probation on a suspended prison sentence for failure to register as a sex offender in Humboldt County, a category D felony in Nevada.
Picotte, age 54, pleaded guilty to the charge in October. The felony charge has a potential sentence of one to four years in prison, a $5,000 maximum fine and eligibility for probation.
Public Defender Matthew Stermitz told the court that Picotte has not been in trouble in 24 years and doesn’t have any other offenses than another failure to register charge in 1995.
Stermitz asked the court to give Picotte probation on the charge.
“I think it’s pretty clear that Mr. Picotte stays out of trouble and a term of probation will ensure that he remains registered,” said Stermitz.
Deputy District Attorney Kevin Pasquale agreed that probation would be appropriate. Picotte did not give a statement to the court when given the opportunity.
Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Michael Montero sentenced Picotte to 12-32 months in prison with 40 days credit for time served. The prison sentence was suspended and Picotte was placed on 36 months of probation that include compliance with sex offender registration requirements.
Picotte was ordered to pay a $153 DNA collection and analysis fee, $25 administrative assessment fee and $250 public defender fee.
