Preschool Teacher Sentenced in Drug Case

(Carson City, Nevada) After pleading guilty to sale of a controlled substance, 20-year-old Brittany Baxter-Stuchell was sentenced this week by District Judge Michael Gibbons to 30 days in jail and three years probation.

Baxter-Stuchell was caught in a sting operation in February 2007.

According to court documents, the sheriff's Street Enforcement Team set up the purchase.

Baxter-Stuchell allegedly took the cocaine from her purse and said she could provide marijuana, Ecstasy or hallucinogenic mushrooms.

She said Monday she no longer associates with her co-defendants, one of whom had been her boyfriend.

"These are not people or situations I surround myself with," she said.

"You may not think you're a drug dealer - you're not importing drugs from Colombia - but in pleading guilty to sale of a controlled substance, you're a drug dealer," Gibbons said.

Her lawyer, Derrick Lopez, said Baxter-Stuchell realized the felony conviction put her dreams of becoming a teacher on hold for at least 15 years until her record may be sealed.

"She did have dreams of becoming a teacher," Lopez said. "She knows now that is gone for a very long time. That is a significant punishment."

She received probation because she cooperated with law enforcement in other drug investigations.

"I know I made a very big mistake," Baxter-Stuchell said. "I am not on drugs. I hurt my family very badly and I hurt my schooling. I am taking full responsibility."

Judge Gibbons also ordered Baxter-Stuchell to graduate from high school, or get her GED, to pay $1,000 restitution and to pay reimbursement for her court-appointed attorney.

BTW, Baxter-Stuchell left remarks in Comments.


[12/09/07 entry]

(Carson City, Nevada) A preschool teacher at the Capital Christian Daycare Center, 19-year-old Brittany Baxter-Stuchell, has been accused of selling 24 grams of cocaine in a police undercover sting operation last February.

Baker-Stuchell has been charged with trafficking in a controlled substance.

"You're accused of selling dope and a lot of it. What's the matter with you?" asked East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl. "You don't have a clue."

A court appearance is scheduled for December 12th. Baxter-Stuchell was released on her own recognizance.