Ex-cop gets 10 years to life in drug case

Friday, Jan. 21, 2005 | 10:55 a.m.

A former North Las Vegas narcotics detective was sentenced to 10 years to life in prison on Thursday for dealing cocaine, Ecstacy and marijuana.

A Clark County jury convicted William Brooks on three counts of drug trafficking and one of possession of drugs with intent to sell on Nov. 9.

District Judge Michael Cherry told Brooks it was "so sad you ruined your life and career, but you've got to pay the price." Cherry asked Brooks how old he would be in 10 years when he has his first chance at parole. Brooks told him he will be 57.

The judge said Brooks would at least "still have some type of life left" if he is paroled.

Deputy Public Defender Norman Reed asked Cherry to transfer Brooks to an out-of-state institution to try to protect Brooks. Brooks is set to serve his time at High Desert State Prison near Indian Springs. Reed said many people the former narcotics officer arrested are inmates at High Desert and might seek to harm Brooks.

Cherry said he could not transfer Brooks to another prison, but he hoped High Desert officials would "take whatever measure to ensure his safety." Reed said after the sentencing that he would appeal Brooks conviction all the way to the Nevada Supreme Court.

Brooks had been commended for his performance as a police officer and named to a joint task force with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, but in 2000 he was convicted of his first felony when he allegedly attacked a woman at a Home Depot while still a police officer.

Charged with kidnapping, Brooks and prosecutors agreed to a plea-bargain to the lesser charge of coercion and he received no prison time, only probation. He left the force around the same time. Convicted felons may not work as police officers.

Brooks was working as a limousine driver in April 2003 when his probation officer came to his house for a surprise inspection and found packets of cocaine, Ecstasy and marijuana under the bed and a 9mm pistol in a car outside. It is illegal for convicted felons to possess firearms.

Metro narcotics officers who responded to the scene recalled that Brooks had been involved in a drug bust six months earlier, in which he had sold almost an ounce of cocaine to an undercover detective.