A North Las Vegas man will spend 30 days in jail after he admitted to using someone else’s bar number and pretending to be an attorney.
Jerrell Roberts, 40, who appeared out of custody Wednesday, shrieked as a court marshal handcuffed him.
In March, he pleaded guilty to one felony count of obtaining and using personal identifying information of Las Vegas civil attorney Jerrell Berrios.
District Judge Ron Israel called the jail sentence a slap on the wrist.
“It’s the least to show you that you cannot do this s—-,” District Judge Ron Israel said.
After Roberts serves the jail sentence, during which he is ineligible for early release, he will be placed on probation for three years, as Israel also ordered.
If he successfully completes probation and other requirements, he can withdraw his felony plea and instead plead guilty to a misdemeanor count of practicing law without a license.
Roberts apologized to his family, Berrios, and the court during the sentencing.
Defense attorney Michael Pariente sought probation for Roberts, a request prosecutors did not oppose.
Pariente said that Roberts, a former juvenile probation officer, was a smart guy who made a dumb mistake.
Still, Israel said he was unconvinced.
“This was calculated by somebody who really should have known better. It’s not a one-time thing, ” the judge said. “This is what undermines the faith in the judicial system.”
Roberts was first arrested at the Regional Justice Center in August after police said he used Berrios’ bar number on filings and while appearing in court.
Roberts had given a real attorney a business card that referred to him as “Jerrell D. Roberts, Esq., Attorney and Financial Consultant,” according to police.
He also invited his family, friends and coworkers to attend a ceremony for his swearing-in to the bar, which was conducted by Family Court Judge Sunny Bailey in 2024, police said.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Colleen Brown said Bailey had no idea Roberts was not authorized to practice law.
At the time of his arrest, Roberts worked for Clark County Juvenile Justice Services. Spokesperson Jennifer Cooper said Roberts “separated from” the county on Nov. 5.
Roberts told police he made up Berrios’ bar number, even though he and Berrios shared a first name.
After court, Pariente said that Roberts had accepted the jail sentence.
“He is committed to fully complying with all probation terms and successfully completing probation following his release in one month,” Pariente said.
Contact Akiya Dillon at adillon@reviewjournal.com.
