Evading arrest, drugs are fast track to jail

A local man with a lengthy history of negative contact with law enforcement was sentenced to prison Sept. 22 by Fifth District Court Judge Robert Lane.

Daniel Russell Burrows pled guilty to charges of conspiracy to violate the uniformed controlled substance act, possession/manufacture of a short-barreled shotgun and stop required on signal of a peace officer.

Burrows was arrested on Nov. 6 after authorities learned he was possibly staying at a residence on Calvada Boulevard.

When deputies made contact with a female at the residence, she reportedly advised them Burrows had been staying in the back room.

She allowed deputies to search for Burrows inside the residence. Once Burrows saw the deputies, he fled to the bathroom in an attempt to escape, however, deputies forced their way into the bathroom and took him into custody.

During a search, deputies reportedly located a prescription pill bottle with suspected Xanax on his person, a meth pipe and a large amount of a white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine.

Deputies also found six hypodermic devices, a digital scale and a glass pipe. The female had an active temporary protective order against Burrows and reportedly told deputies that she was scared of Burrows and was afraid to call the police because of his violent behavior. Burrows was taken to the jail and booked into custody on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing a public officer and violation of a temporary protection order.

In court, Nye County Public Defense Attorney Jason Earnest explained that Burrows is an addict. “He has hit rock bottom. He is clean and he is sober. This man has shown that addiction drives him. I can’t really explain the short-barreled shotgun.

“These junkies sit together and shoot meth together. They have this crazy, delusional lifestyle. This man is just a junkie,” Earnest said.

Earnest asked the sentences be run consecutively and that Burrows be placed on probation. Earnest pleaded with the court that his client is an addict and needs help. “If you let him labor under your terms of probation, I don’t think Mr. Burrows will be here again.

“I think he would be a good candidate for drug court but I know Wanker has some issues with guns and she doesn’t want to lose her grant. Clearly, he needs some sort of drug counseling as part of his probation,” Earnest finished.

Burrows stood and explained to the court that he was sorry for what he had done. “I don’t remember doing most of the acts. I know I’m changing. I haven’t done drugs in about four or five months.”

Nye County Assistant District Attorney Daniel Young explained that a number of cases were being dismissed through plea negotiations including domestic battery, second offense, possession of drug paraphernalia, assault with a deadly weapon, attempted grand larceny of a motor vehicle and petty larceny.

Young stated, “Your honor, this defendant has been a menace in Pahrump since 2009. He’s had numerous contacts with law enforcement. He pled guilty to driving under the influence in 2009 and he’s had a number of other drug felonies that were amended to misdemeanors.

Lane ordered that all three sentences be served consecutively. Burrows will receive 16 days credit for time served.

Lane commented to the defendant at the conclusion of sentencing, “I think you’re a menace too. You’re way too scary to have out there.”