Repeat DUI offender may be free by 2003

Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000 | 9:24 a.m.

Although Washoe District Judge Jim Hardesty handed down the maximum sentence Friday, George R. Colfer of Reno comes up for parole in 28 months. The sentencing range for the crime is 28 to 72 months.

Colfer has at least three prior felony DUI convictions.

"This is the single worst DUI offender I have seen, and I hope he serves every second of that 72 months in prison," Deputy District Attorney Roy Stralla told Hardesty.

"Mr. Colfer is a poster child for the Legislature to give us some graduated punishments. If he gets out, he's just going to get drunk and do it again."

Colfer faces another felony DUI charge in Lyon County. Hardesty said he hopes the judge in that case will run his sentence consecutively, meaning a total of up to 12 years in prison.

While awaiting sentencing, Colfer was caught drinking homemade alcohol with other inmates Jan. 23 in the Washoe County Jail, Stralla said.

None of Colfer's arrests involved injuries to others.

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