WCDA Case Outcome

Habitual Offender Sentenced on Burglary Charges Involving Construction Supply Company Thefts

The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office has released the sentencing result in a burglary case that involved a defendant with a lengthy criminal history. Gary Wayne Schwieter Jr. 50, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after having pled guilty to one count of burglary in November, 2018.  This office had filed notice of intent to seek habitual criminal status on Schwieter based on his lengthy record of 7 prior felony convictions for crimes such as burglary, drug offenses and grand larceny charges.  The sentence ensures that Schwieter must serve a minimum of 5 years in prison before parole eligibility begins. In comparison, a sentence for burglary ranges from 1 to 10 years in prison.

 The case against Schwieter began in May, 2018 when the Reno Police Department began investigating a number of fraud cases that had occurred across Washoe County involving a major construction company and several construction supply companies. Over the course of three months, several of the supply companies reported losses of construction tools and equipment related to fraudulent purchase orders.  In July, Schwieter was identified as the suspect in a theft of a mountain bike from a sporting goods store and further identified as the suspect in the construction fraud cases.   Detectives with the Northern Nevada Repeat Offender Program continued the investigation and ultimately arrested Schwieter, who was also in possession of a small quantity of Methamphetamine when contacted. 

 At sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Michael Bolenbaker argued, Schwieter’s repeated criminal activity combined with his victimization of local business’s was deserving of a lengthy prison term under the habitual sentencing guidelines.”

 The Washoe County District Attorney’s Office and the Northern Nevada Repeat Offender Program continue to work together to pursue lengthy prison sentences against offenders with extensive criminal histories in order to safeguard public safety in our community.