Cameron Carrica, age 27, was recently ordered to complete the Humboldt County Adult Drug Court program for the second time on a deferred prison sentence for a category B felony drug charge.
Carrica admitted to being under the influence of methamphetamine, a controlled substance, on March 12, 2020, in Humboldt County.
Carrica’s attorney, Humboldt County Public Defender Matthew Stermitz asked the court to grant Carrica’s probation.
“I don’t know if he’s interested in programming. I think it would obviously be beneficial for him,” said Stermitz. “It’s obvious that he’s struggling and absent probation and programming his prospects are slim that he’s going to succeed. He’s been in the community, always had a job, I would ask the court to grant probation.”
Humboldt County Deputy District Attorney Kevin Pasquale told the court that Carrica does not believe alcohol or controlled substances are a problem for him, despite a lengthy criminal history involving drugs and alcohol.
“I do think that probation is what we need to do, also help to be provided by the Humboldt County Drug Court,” said Pasquale.
Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Michael Montero outlined that Carrica has had one prior felony conviction, no prison time, some jail incarcerations and one previous time on probation for which he was honorably discharged.
“The court’s hands are tied here, there’s nothing I can do besides probation,” said Montero.
Montero told Carrica that if the law allowed, he would be sent to prison on the category B felony drug charge.
The charge in question only allows the judge to order a deferred sentence with probation in accordance with Nevada law.
Carrica told the court that he had been working consistently since the last time he got out of jail, staying busy and out of trouble.
“I think probation would be adequate, I don’t want to go back to jail,” said Carrica. “Every time I go back to jail I get out and get in trouble. If I have to do drug court to stay out of jail then I guess I’ll do it again.”
Carrica was ordered to serve 19 to 48 months in prison on a deferred prison sentence with credit given for 27 days time served and 36 months of probation.
The conditions of Carrica’s probation include completion of the 18-month Humboldt County Adult Drug Court program, which he previously completed, under the conditions that he abstain from alcohol and all controlled substances.
Carrica was ordered to pay a $25 administrative assessment fee, $153 DNA collection and analysis fee, $250 public defender fee and $609 forensic fee.
