A Las Vegas drug prosecutor who handled cases involving Paris Hilton and Bruno Mars is now finding himself in the same shoes as those he tried to prosecute.
Former Deputy District Attorney David Schubert was sentenced Monday to nine months in jail for felony crack possession. Schubert apologized to the court saying the situation was “a tragedy”. The state court judge told him he was “a disgrace to his oath as prosecutor and lawyer”.
The Clark County District Judge Carolyn Ellsworth went on to say that terms of plea that would have given
Schubert probation and chance to clear his record were “offensive”.
The judge stated, “I’m not going to give you special treatment.”
Schubert was arrested in March of 2011 after police witnessed a man get out Schubert’s car, walk into an apartment complex, and return the vehicle. Police found a $40 rock of crack cocaine in Schubert’s possession, as well as, a 9 mm handgun that was not registered.
Schubert gained national attention after prosecuting Paris Hilton’s drug case. Hilton was found with 0.8 grams of cocaine following a Las Vegas traffic stop. The cocaine reportedly fell out of Hilton’s purse.
Schubert also prosecuted Bruno Mars, whose real name is Peter Hernandez, in February of 2011. Mars admitted to having 2.6 grams of cocaine in his possession after a performance at a Hard Rock Hotel & Casino nightclub.
Hilton, who was charged with misdemeanor cocaine possession and obstruction, was sentenced to one year on probation. Hilton finished her probation last fall. Mars also reached a plea deal and recently completed all conditions for his case.
Schubert has resigned from his prosecuting position and underwent two months of inpatient substance abuse counseling.
He is currently still practicing law as a criminal defense attorney in some of the same court rooms where he was a prosecutor. He is also undergoing outpatient drug and alcohol counseling. This conviction, however, may jeopardize his law career. The State Bar of Nevada and the state Supreme Court are reviewing his case.
As of now, Schubert will begin his jail sentence on March 12.
Schubert’s defense attorney, William Terry, said he may appeal his sentence or ask the judge to set it aside. Terry said setting Schubert’s sentence would be unlikely.
