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A former Army soldier wounded in Iraq was sentenced on Tuesday in District Court to 12 to 32 months in prison for writing bad checks.
Jameson Romio Smith, 24, pleaded guilty to two counts of issuing a check without sufficient money, a Category D felony. Smith's sentences will run concurrently and was ordered by Judge William Rogers to pay restitution in the amount of $6,532.32.
“I went way out on a limb for Mr. Smith,” Judge William Rogers said. “Then, I find you're out there running amuck.”
Churchill County District Attorney Ben Shawcroft provided statements from three of Smith's victims, which included Joyce Paulson, owner of Gems by Joyce, and Rick Bassham, owner of Bassham Furniture.
Bassham said Fallon is a place where people can be trusted and that hasn't changed because of Smith's actions. Bassham added Smith hurt himself and his reputation, but he has to make a decision on how he wants his life to turn out.
Paulson, wiping away tears, said she was heartbroken by Smith's actions. Paulson gave Smith a discount on all the supplies he needed for an embroidery project, which took her more than two days to complete.
The shop owner said she believed in Smith and more than the money, her heart hurts from Smith's actions. She wondered how Smith could pay for services when he knew the check he wrote was worthless.
“The true impact of this has been small businesses,” Shawcroft said.
“They go through hardship, their prices go up and it drives customers away.”
Shawcroft said Smith wrote numerous bad checks and was arrested by police. Smith was free on his own recognizance and ordered to pay restitution, but instead, passed more bad checks. Smith was arrested again and kept in custody.
Shawcroft noted Smith didn't show up for his interview with Parole and Probation after his initial arrest and needed to be punished.
Smith's attorney, Churchill County Public Defender Paul Drakulich, said his clients actions were inexcusable, but added Smith had not received his disability checks from the military since June.
Drakulich asked for probation because Smith would be collecting his disability check and could start paying the money owed to the victims.
When Smith spoke, he turned to the victims in the courtroom and apologized for his actions. He added that he was taking 16 credits at Western Nevada College and had aspirations of becoming a lawyer in the future.
“I know what I did to you was wrong,” Smith said. “I sincerely apologize for my actions, they were irresponsible and dishonest.”
Jameson Romio Smith, 24, pleaded guilty to two counts of issuing a check without sufficient money, a Category D felony. Smith's sentences will run concurrently and was ordered by Judge William Rogers to pay restitution in the amount of $6,532.32.
“I went way out on a limb for Mr. Smith,” Judge William Rogers said. “Then, I find you're out there running amuck.”
Churchill County District Attorney Ben Shawcroft provided statements from three of Smith's victims, which included Joyce Paulson, owner of Gems by Joyce, and Rick Bassham, owner of Bassham Furniture.
Bassham said Fallon is a place where people can be trusted and that hasn't changed because of Smith's actions. Bassham added Smith hurt himself and his reputation, but he has to make a decision on how he wants his life to turn out.
Paulson, wiping away tears, said she was heartbroken by Smith's actions. Paulson gave Smith a discount on all the supplies he needed for an embroidery project, which took her more than two days to complete.
The shop owner said she believed in Smith and more than the money, her heart hurts from Smith's actions. She wondered how Smith could pay for services when he knew the check he wrote was worthless.
“The true impact of this has been small businesses,” Shawcroft said.
“They go through hardship, their prices go up and it drives customers away.”
Shawcroft said Smith wrote numerous bad checks and was arrested by police. Smith was free on his own recognizance and ordered to pay restitution, but instead, passed more bad checks. Smith was arrested again and kept in custody.
Shawcroft noted Smith didn't show up for his interview with Parole and Probation after his initial arrest and needed to be punished.
Smith's attorney, Churchill County Public Defender Paul Drakulich, said his clients actions were inexcusable, but added Smith had not received his disability checks from the military since June.
Drakulich asked for probation because Smith would be collecting his disability check and could start paying the money owed to the victims.
When Smith spoke, he turned to the victims in the courtroom and apologized for his actions. He added that he was taking 16 credits at Western Nevada College and had aspirations of becoming a lawyer in the future.
“I know what I did to you was wrong,” Smith said. “I sincerely apologize for my actions, they were irresponsible and dishonest.”
