Two years given in tax case

Jace Radke

Monday, Jan. 24, 2005 | 9:46 a.m.

Despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that made federal sentencing guidelines advisory in nature, U.S. District Judge Lloyd George stayed within those guidelines when sentencing a Las Vegas man to two years in prison.

George sentenced Martin Slatsky Friday after Slatsky pleaded guilty to money laundering and evading federal income taxes on income received from dealing cocaine.

After receiving credit for time spent in a Canadian prison for dealing drugs, federal sentencing guidelines recommended that George sentence Slatsky to between 24 and 38 months in prison for laundering more than $8 million he made distributing cocaine in the 1990s.

George referred to the Supreme Court decision that freed judges to craft their own sentences without the sentencing guidelines that were enacted in 1984 to ensure that sentences across the country are consistent.

"This court can give any sentence up to the mandatory maximum," George said.

Slatsky told George that he had learned a hard lesson after being arrested in Canada in 1997 with 70 kilograms, or 154 pounds, of cocaine purchased in the United States for distribution in Canada.

"At that stage in my life all I cared about was myself and money, money, money," Slatsky said. "When I was arrested I realized the only people there for me were my family.

"I think my family has suffered as much if not more than I did."

Slatsky spent 33 months in prison in Canada after being convicted on drug charges.

George allowed the 33 months to be counted against Slatsky's sentence on the money laundering and tax evasion charges, and said that Slatsky could be out of prison in about 20 months.

"I hope he (Slatsky) has seen the light," George said. "It's a very serious crime and I hope you've had the opportunity to sit and think about kids that are now hooked on this poison and the lives you've impacted."