Fake Attorney Who Stole Legit Lawyer's Bar Number Sentenced to Jail in Clark County Court

LAS VEGAS, NV — A bizarre and high-stakes case of identity theft inside the Clark County judicial system reached its climax as an imposter attorney who surreptitiously practiced law in local courts was ordered to serve a jail sentence.

District Judge Ron Israel ordered 40-year-old Jerrell Roberts to be remanded into immediate custody to serve a 30-day jail sentence, which was added onto a three-year term of strict probation. Roberts, who had appeared in court out of custody, shrieked aloud as court marshals handcuffed him at the defense table.

The Legit Bar Number Scheme

The unusual felony prosecution unfolded after state fraud investigators discovered that Roberts had systematically stolen the personal identifying information and active state bar license number of a completely legitimate Las Vegas civil defense attorney, Jerrell Berrios.

Armed with the stolen credentials, Roberts masqueraded as a licensed legal practitioner, filing fraudulent paperwork, advising unsuspecting clients, and illegitimately appearing before local magistrates on active court dockets. Roberts pleaded guilty to one felony count of obtaining and using personal identifying information of another to avoid financial transparency and criminal background checks.

Judge Slams Sentence as “Slap on the Wrist”

During the tense sentencing hearing, Judge Israel made no attempt to conceal his severe frustration with the state’s underlying statutory sentencing guidelines for the fraud, openly labeling the mandatory one-month jail stint a “slap on the wrist” given the structural damage done to the integrity of the courts.

“It’s the least to show you that you cannot do this s—,” District Judge Ron Israel stated from the bench, emphasizing that Roberts’ actions fundamentally undermined public faith in the entire judicial system. In addition to jail time and probation, Roberts was ordered to pay restitution and completely cease any unauthorized proximity to active legal defenses or client consulting operations across the state.

Source: Clark County District Court Criminal Case Records, Regional Justice Center Sentencing Manifests.