Washoe County weighs shutting down alternative sentencing program after federal investigation

By Brittany Sheehan  

Nevada News and Views

Washoe County officials are thinking about closing down their Department of Alternative Sentencing. This comes after federal agents and local police started looking into the department and its former boss, Justin Roper. The office helps people who break minor laws stay out of jail by checking in regularly instead.

The Secret Service and Reno Police began their investigation earlier this year. Roper was put on leave without pay and then quit his job. The county won’t say what the investigation is about. But next week, county commissioners will vote on whether to shut the whole department down.

Why This Matters to Conservatives

This story highlights a key question conservatives care about. Should government spend millions on programs that keep offenders out of jail? Or should lawbreakers face real consequences?

The department grew fast under Roper. It doubled its staff and its budget jumped 73 percent in four years to over $3.7 million last year. That’s a lot of taxpayer money. The office also took in state and federal grants to run its programs.

Roper claimed the department saved the county $50 million a year in jail costs. But when a government program grows that fast, it deserves a close look. Conservatives believe government should stay small and spend carefully. They want to know if programs really work before throwing more money at them.

The county started an audit of the department last summer. That audit isn’t done yet. But the timing raises questions. Why were federal agents involved? What did they find? And why did Roper leave so quickly?

The Other Side

County commissioners had praised the alternative sentencing programs before. They said the office helped “change people’s lives” by “seeing the potential in each person.” The department won national awards for its work.

Supporters of these programs say they help people get back on track without the high cost of jail. They point to drug testing and supervision as ways to keep communities safe while giving offenders a second chance.

The office handles people convicted of misdemeanors, not serious crimes. Over 100 people showed up for required check-ins when the office closed without warning in March. Those folks were turned away. That suggests lots of people depend on the program.

What We Know About Justin Roper

Roper ran the department since November 2020. Under his watch, the office grew quickly in size and money. He and his wife also own a private testing business in Las Vegas called Sober Testing Services. They opened it in 2021.

Roper said judges in Clark County wanted a program like the one in Washoe. When no city would do it, he and his wife opened their own facility. Some might wonder if running a private business while managing a government program creates conflicts of interest.

What Happens Next

County commissioners will vote on the recommendation to dissolve the department. If they shut it down, what happens to the people in the program? Do they go to jail instead? Does another agency take over?

The investigation is still going. We don’t know what federal agents are looking at or if charges will be filed. The county’s internal audit should give more answers when it’s finished.

What Conservatives Can Do

Citizens should ask their county commissioners tough questions before the vote. What did the investigation find? Was taxpayer money spent properly? Did the programs actually work as claimed?

Conservatives should push for transparency. Government works best when citizens can see what it’s doing with their money. If programs don’t deliver results, they should be cut. If laws were broken, people should be held accountable.

This is a chance to examine whether big government programs really serve the public or just grow for their own sake. Limited government means watching every dollar and every program. Washoe County voters should demand answers before their representatives vote.

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Brittany Sheehan is a Las Vegas-based mother, policy advocate and grassroots leader. She is active in local politics, successful in campaign work and passionate about liberty.