Sentencing of Habitual Criminal

WCDA Announces 20 Year Sentence Secured in Burglary and Theft Prosecution

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has announced that Rickey Lee Avery, 51, from Washington, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following convictions on burglary and theft charges.  Based on the defendant’s lengthy criminal history that included multiple prior felony convictions, this office successfully sought habitual criminal status for sentencing.  The sentence ensures that 8 years must be served before parole eligibility begins. 

Avery pled guilty in February to a case involving one count of Burglary and one count of Theft. Avery also pled guilty to a charge of Obtain or Use the Personal Identification of Another in a second case and was sentenced as a habitual offender in both cases on Monday to a combined 20 years in prison. Avery’s record included 16 prior felony convictions for burglary, theft, fraud, and drug offenses.       

The case against Avery began in October when the Reno Police Department (RPD) made contact with Avery, who gave officers a false name and was found to be in possession of a checkbook belonging to another person.  Avery was arrested and detectives with the Northern Nevada Repeat Offender Program conducted a follow-up investigation into Avery’s conduct and linked him to multiple burglaries and thefts.  One of the victims in a burglary case stated he had rented a room to Avery, who he eventually asked to leave for non-payment of rent. After Avery moved, the victim discovered multiple items missing from his home including hunting equipment, tools, and checks.  Detectives were able to locate some of the stolen items at various pawn shops.             

At sentencing, Deputy District Carrie Morton argued that the defendant’s extensive criminal history, which spans 7 states and over 3 decades, earned him habitual criminal status.  

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office continues to work with the Northern Nevada Repeat Offender Program and focus on the investigation and prosecution of habitual offenders.  The office will continue to seek lengthy prison sentences in these cases.