Coyote TV - High Desert Advocate

     Giving lie to Nevada’s “tough” three strikes criminal policy, a Wendover man was arrest for the 12th time on drug charges in 12 years.
    Alberto “Kino” Rodriguez, 41, of Wendover made it an even dozen when he was arrested by West Wendover Police officers May 1st at his home.
    Ironically the police initially went to Rodriguez’ apartment to arrest him on another charge of drug dealing. According to the Elko Justice Court the original charge stemmed from an Nevada Division of Investigation sting that took place between June 17 and June 26 in 2009.
    Charges for that June crime were only brought last week by the Elko County District Attorney’s office, and the warrant for Rodriguez’ arrest was issued April 26th.

  When WWPD officers arrived at Rodriguez’ apartment they were greeted by the strong smell of freshly smoke marijuana.
    They first arrest Rodriguez on the Justice Court warrant and then searched the apartment after obtaining a warrant from the Wendover Justice Court.
    Aided by West Wendover Police Canine “Teke”, located approximately 620 grams of suspected marijuana.  Also located were 3 electronic scales, 3 social security cards that are believed to be stolen, 3 false identifications, and $480.00 in currency.
    “Right now we are trying to contact the real owners of the social security numbers,” said WWPD Sergeant David Wiskerchen. “We are also investigating whether either these or other stolen ID’s are being used in town by undocumented workers.”

  rk force the demand for real social security numbers has always been great in West Wendover. If Rodriguez was a supplier of the phony documents it would mean he was branching out in a criminal career that goes back until at least 1997.
    According to court records Rodriguez has been arrested well over a dozen times from misdemeanors including disturbing the peace to felonies mostly involving drug charges. However most of the original felony arrests were later pled down to misdemeanors thus the man never served and serious prison time.
    In recent years lawmakers at both the State and Federal levels have passed legislation increasing penalties for criminal offenses, particularly violent crimes. These actions came in response to public concerns about crime and the belief that many serious offenders are released from prison too soon. Many such laws have come under the general label of “three strikes and you’re out.” The purpose of these laws is simple: Offenders convicted repeatedly of serious offenses should be removed from society for long periods of time, in many cases for life.