Nevada Transportation Authority supervisor arrested for attempting to buy heroin

A 36-year-old Nevada Transportation Authority supervisor who has been arrested three times for DUI related charges, was arrested Wednesday on felony drug charges after he allegedly attempted to buy three grams of heroin from a Tri-NET Narcotic Task Force confidential source, law enforcement officers said.

Robert Craig Reasoner was booked into custody at 3:46 p.m. in the 4500 block of North Carson Street for suspicion to violate the controlled substance act and offering or arrange to sell or purchase of a controlled substance. Each charge comes with a bail amount of $20,000.

Reasoner supervises compliance enforcement investigators at the Nevada Transportation Authority and most recently was arrested in January after crashing his state-owned Ford Explorer into a parked SUV. It was learned the man had been arrested at least three times previously for DUI.

According to the arrest report, Tri-NET detectives met with the confidential source who said he could purchase heroin on behalf of Reasoner.

At approximately 11 a.m. the confidential source met with Reasoner at 402 Corbett Street. During the meeting Reasoner insisted the source take him to the Wells Fargo Bank ATM at Highway 50 and Saliman Drive.

Reasoner obtained at least $160 from the ATM which he immediately gave to the confidential source and instructed the source to purchase 3 grams of heroin for him and his mother, the arrest report states.

During the conversation, Reasoner directed the confidential source to get a “Sharpie” and place an “R” on the two grams that belong to him in the event that he, Reasoner, was not at the residence at the time the confidential source returned with the heroin, the arrest report states. The conversation was heard by Tri-NET detectives via an electronic transmitting device, the report states.

Under the direction of Tri-NET detectives, the confidential source conducted a controlled purchase of three grams of heroin from an unknown source in Reno. Following the controlled purchases, detectives immediately met the confidential source and took possession of the three grams of heroin. A detective then collected the heroin that was individually wrapped in three separate balls. They tested the substance which was positive for the presence of heroin. The heroin balls were then resealed and the letter “R” was placed on two of the balls as requested by Reasoner, the report states.

At approximately 2:44 p.m. under the direction of Tri-NET detectives, the confidential source placed a telephone call to Reasoner and told him that they were at a predetermined meet location.

at 3:10 p.m. Reasoner and his mother were observed leaving 402 Corbett Street toward the predetermined location. At around 3:17 p.m. Reasoner was observed driving past the meet location while looking toward the parking lot. Reasoner then did a u-turn on Highway 395 north and headed back toward the meet location, according to the arrest report.

At 3:19 p.m. Reasoner entered the parking of the meet location and drove through the parking lot examining each vehicle in the parking lot. He eventually stopped in front of the business and opened the door and looked inside the restaurant, the arrest report states. He was then immediately placed into custody by Tri-NET detectives with the assistance of Carson City Sheriff’s Office Special Enforcement Team and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Street Enforcement Team.

Subsequent to his arrest, deputies believed Reasoner to be under the influence. A deputy conducted standardized field sobriety tests on Reasoner and he showed signs of impairment during the test. He was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence. Reason was on Alternative Sentencing with a condition to obey all laws. Alternative Sentencing was advised of the charges and additionally charged Reasoner with Department of Alternative Sentencing violation.

He was booked for DUI Drugs third offense, DAS violation, conspiracy to violate the controlled substance act and offer, agree or arrange to sell a controlled substance.

Business and Industry Director Bruce Brewslow tells News 4-Fox 11 that he fired two Nevada Transportation Authority supervisors as part of this investigation. Brewslow confirmed that Reasoner is on paid administrative leave as the Department of Public Safety investigates.