A Carson City drug dealer arrested in November as part of a Tri-Net narcotics sting operation will serve a minimum of 10 years in prison for dealing methamphetamine.
Judge Michael Griffin sentenced Gavino Lara, 29, to the Legislature-mandated 10-year minimum for his part in dealing 271 grams of methamphetamine on four occasions.
As a part of a plea agreement with prosecutors May 15, two other drug-dealing charges were dropped in favor of the single charge.
Public defender Diane Crow said while Lara's offense was abhorrent, a 10-year sentence for a first offense is too extreme.
Griffin echoed her sentiments, but said his hands were tied because of the mandatory minimum sentence.
"I would be surprised if this person was a major supplier because he didn't live like one," he said.
"During the last transaction he was saying he didn't want to be involved anymore," he said. "Tri-Net watched suppliers come and go and didn't follow them. They didn't do anything."
Lara will likely be deported to Mexico following service of the sentence. He faces a maximum of 25 years behind bars. He sold undercover agents $5,200 worth of methamphetamine.
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