LAKE HAVASU CITY — A Lake Havasu City man nearly blew up his plea agreement by trying to distance himself from drug dealing. Derek Azevedo, 49, pleaded guilty to a charge reduced to attempted possession of dangerous drugs for sale during an Oct. 27 hearing in Kingman.
Deputy Mohave County attorney Leah Nelson advised the Court that an Aug. 15 search of Azevedo’s hotel room in the 1300 block of McCulloch Boulevard yielded seizure of 21 grams of methamphetamine, 3 grams of illegal mushrooms and a firearm.
Nelson said the drug quantities involved are consistent with sales activity, drawing rebuttal from Azevedo when he was asked if that’s what happened.
“It was for personal use,” Azevedo told Mohave County Superior Court judge Derek Carlisle. The reply potentially tainted the plea because the charged conviction involves a sales component.
“My client is willing to admit it was for sale your Honor,” defense attorney Greg McPhillips offered, after a brief pause in the hearing.
Azevedo acquiesced and conceded sales involvement intent, prompting acceptance and entry of the plea agreement.
Azevedo is exposed to a possible short prison term, but is eligible for probation when sentenced Nov. 24.
