Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Man, 83, Gets Two Life Sentences

An 83-year-old man was sentenced to two life sentences in Nevada County Court Monday, April 26 for drug-related offenses.

Ike Colbert was arrested March 18, 1999, on Washington Road by Nevada County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigator Wayne Kisselburg.

The arrest stemmed from a traffic stop. At the time, Colbert was driving a 1988 Chrysler, which was later confiscated and is being held for forfeiture.

Kisselburg, after stopping Colbert, approached the vehicle, which began rolling as if Colbert was going to flee the scene. Kisselburg pulled his service weapon and ordered Colbert to stop the car. He did.

He then ordered Colbert to get out of the vehicle. When the suspect got out, a small piece of an off-white rock-like substance believed to be crack cocaine blew out from the driver's side and onto the road.

A further search of the vehicle turned up a socket with what was believed to be crack residue on the passenger's side of the car. It is thought this tool was being used to smoke the drug with.

A passenger in the car was identified as Andrea Meadows, who was also arrested.

A search warrant was executed by NCSO officials at 7:15 that evening, with officers finding more of the off-white rock-like substance believed to be crack, along with several firearms, including a handgun.

Officers found a .22 caliber derringer, a .22 caliber rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun at the residence, along with 45 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition. Two pieces of an off-white substance believed to be crack were found in the butter tray of the refrigerator, wrapped in a portion of a paper towel.

Colbert was later charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a firearm by a certain person and being in simultaneous possession of a firearm and narcotics.

The possession with intent to deliver and simultaneous possession of a weapon and drugs charges are class Y felonies punishable by a sentence of 10 to 40 years or life in prison, along with a fine not to exceed $25,000.

The jury needed little time in the short trial to return verdicts of guilty on these two counts, and suggesting life sentences for both. The sentences are to served consecutively.

Colbert was given credit for 36 days served in the Nevada County jail.