BULLHEAD CITY – A Bullhead City man who pleaded guilty in a methamphetamine case hoped he would be sentenced to a 5–7-year prison term on Friday, Dec. 18. Instead, Robert Thomas, 51, accepted a 10-year sentence.
Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle rejected the punishment limitations of the plea agreement, saying he thought Thomas should serve more time behind bars. Carlisle noted the defendant had 7 previous felonies when he was caught July 16 with an ounce of methamphetamine in a motel room in the 1800 block of the Arcadia Plaza.
Defense attorney George Hibbeler said Thomas suffered from drug addiction, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He said that the amount of methamphetamine could be considered consistent with personal use, though he also said that Thomas is “remorseful about being involved in meth transactions.”
Judge Carlisle found Hibbeler’s assessment to be contradictory. He said that possession of $1,000 in cash, along with the amount of amount of methamphetamine that was seized was more consistent with sales than personal use.
Carlisle accepted Thomas’ guilty plea to possession of dangerous drugs for sale but he rejected the proposed sentencing cap of 7 years. Attorneys negotiated during a brief recess before informing the Court that they would stipulate to a 10-year prison term.
Judge Carlisle approved the newly crafted plea deal and sent Thomas to the Arizona Department of Corrections for a decade.
Dave Hawkins
