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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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