Washoe County's Sober 24 Program Implodes
Chief Justin Roper’s bio on the Washoe County website.
Hold onto your seats, Washoe County residents.
What in the name of governmental incompetence just happened? In a jaw-dropping turn of events that would make even the most seasoned political watchers spit out their morning coffee, the Washoe County Sober 24 program has collapsed.
Remember when Commissioner Alexis Hill was singing Justin Roper's praises like he was the second coming of rehabilitation management? "Amazing program!" she gushed. "Congratulations on the impact award!" Those words are now echoing with a haunting irony that could shatter glass.
FEDERAL MARSHALS. SEIZED. DOCUMENTS.
Let that sink in.
Only one commissioner—Mike Clark—had the audacity to ask questions when no one else would. And how was he treated? Practically tarred and feathered by his fellow commissioners and County Manager Eric Brown for daring to investigate the emperor's new clothes.
Clark's crime? Simply asking about Roper's for-profit Sober 24-like program in Clark County. A mirror image of the Washoe County program that nobody—NOBODY—wanted to scrutinize.
County Manage Eric Brown’s first email. Also, just a question, how do you work remotely at a drug testing facility?
Fast forward to February 4, 2025: Roper is GONE. Vanished. Poof!
A security guard at the Sober 24 facility revealed over 100 drug testers were turned away YESTERDAY. Federal Marshals swooping in to seize documents like something out of a political thriller.
County Manager Eric Brown’s second email regarding Justin Roper.
Where were the county's top brass? Commissioner Alexis Hill? County Manager Eric Brown? Assistant County Manager Kate Thomas? AWOL, it seems!
Sources—who understandably wished to remain anonymous—whispered that Roper was spending more time in Las Vegas than Washoe County, seemingly more interested in "making a buck" than actual rehabilitation. And the county? They were doing what they do best—NOTHING.
Commissioner Clark pulled no punches: "From day one the facility in Las Vegas opened, there was a problem, and Washoe County didn't want to address it because that meant they needed to rip the band-aid off and might have to actually do the work."
Translation: Easier to applaud than investigate. Easier to promote the positive than confront the ugly truth.
Hill's previous gushing now reads like a comedy of errors: "Thank you, well great work... I know that the work you do really is so similar to what that program could be..."
Clark's stance is crystal clear: This requires an OUTSIDE investigation, especially with federal involvement. No self-investigation by Washoe County whitewash this time.
The county's explanation is coming. And we. Cannot. WAIT.
Stay tuned, Washoe County. The band-aid is about to be ripped off—and it's going to hurt.
Oh, and what did Commissioner Alexis Hill say on April 25, 2023:
“Chief Roper what an amazing program, Congratulations on the impact award. Very well deserved.”
“Thank you, well great work. I have been talking to the Sheriff about the LIMA program in Las Vegas, and, um, I know that the work you do really is so similar to what that program could be if we adopt that at Washoe County. So we will probably be looking to you to get some guidance since you’re doing such am amazing job with probation and I can tell your passion and your teams passion, and your compassion for our fellow community members, now that people can change and turn their lives around.”
Notices on the Sober 24 doors today. The security guard was telling the individuals stopping by to have a drug test to take a photo of the signs so there would be no questions asked.