Habitual Criminal Sentencing

WCDA Secures 18 Year Prison Term in Uttering Prosecution of Career Criminal

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has secured a habitual criminal sentencing in a recent fraud case.  The defendant pled guilty in March to one count of Uttering a Forged Instrument and was sentenced by the Honorable Scott Freeman to 18 years in prison last Wednesday in Washoe County District Court.  Based on the defendant’s lengthy criminal record, the prosecutor filed a notice of intent to seek habitual criminal status.  The sentence ensures that five years must be served before parole eligibility begins.

Murry Scott McKinley, 47, from New Mexico was arrested in October, 2016 by detectives with the Northern Nevada Repeat Offender Program (ROP). ROP Detectives had begun investigating McKinley in June, 2016 in connection with a counterfeiting  operation.  The investigation determined that McKinley was involved with a group known to be passing counterfeit currency at various local stores.  RPD detectives obtained surveillance footage depicting McKinley exchanging counterfeit money at one location and he was subsequently arrested.

At sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Zelalem Bogale referenced McKinley’s 25-year criminal record including 11 felony convictions.  He argued that the purpose of Nevada’s habitual criminal laws is to increase sanctions for the recidivist and to discourage and deter repeat offenders like McKinley.  He concluded by stating that labeling McKinley as a habitual criminal was “just and proper.”

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office works closely with the Northern Nevada Repeat Offender Program on cases involving habitual criminals. Prosecutors and detectives work to bring these offenders to justice