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Hall sentenced
to MonDay treatment program
By Bob Robinson
GREENVILLE – “It’s an epidemic,” said a court officer after 23-year-old
Erica J. Hall was sentenced to the MonDay Program in Dayton and
escorted out of the courtroom. She will return to the Darke County Jail
to await an opening at the treatment facility.
Hall signed a guilty plea to trafficking in heroin, a Fourth Degree
Felony. After being charged, she had been allowed pre-trial release
with supervision but was incarcerated five days later for violation of
the terms. The MonDay program was one of the options Darke County
Prosecutor R. Kelly Ormsby noted in the plea agreement, also signed by
her attorney Nicole L. Pohlman.
“It’s horrible,” the officer said. “It’s an epidemic of young girls,
especially.” Weekend before last 14 girls were incarcerated. Most of
them for drug violations.
“Today it’s heroin,” he added. “It’s cheaper than marijuana right now.”
Hall was charged with trafficking but also has addiction issues. Darke
County Common Pleas Judge Jon Hein told Hall people involved in drugs
have incredible difficulty shedding it, and the risk of recidivism is
likely.
“You tested ‘dirty’ while you were on pre-trial supervision. You can
sit there in that chair and tell me you will stay clean but it isn’t
likely to happen. It’s too easily available. Good intentions aren’t
usually good enough.
“How old are you?”
“Twenty three.”
“There was a woman in your chair yesterday who was 30. She looked 70.
If you don’t do something about this, by the time you’re 30 you’ll look
70.”
In the plea agreement Ormsby had dropped a second charge of aggravated
trafficking in drugs (morphine), a Third Degree Felony. The prosecution
recommended community control sanctions to include local jail time or
the MonDay program, drug abuse evaluation and treatment, restitution of
$385, community service hours and court costs. The sentence could have
been for 18 months plus a $5,000 fine. Prison time was not mandatory,
nor was it considered necessary by law.
Pohlman noted Hall’s mother had terminal cancer and requested
consideration be given.
“I can’t do much about your attitude,” Hein said. “If you look upon
MonDay as punishment it probably won’t work as well. Or work at all. If
you use it the way it is intended, to help you take control, this I
hope is something your mother would support.”
He noted it would be a four to six month investment, at which
point Hall interrupted, saying “she’s not going to make it four to six
months!”
Hein looked at Ormsby. “Can we accommodate that?” Ormsby nodded.
“You will remain incarcerated, Hein continued, pending an admission to
MonDay. You will have to follow their directives on release. In
addition you will be on probation for 60 months, your license will be
suspended and you will be required to do community service, some of
which can be done while you are at MonDay.”
There will be no fine but restitution will be required.
“If you fail to comply, I’ll set up a 14 month prison sentence, less
time served.”
After the hearing the court officer said the addiction is so strong
girls are doing burglaries on their own now to feed it. “We never used
to see that.”
What could make a young person have so little concern about his or her
life?
The officer shrugged.
Parents don’t care? It won’t be long before they don’t care about
themselves… or you!
Published courtesy
of Blue Bag Media
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