Ryan Ashlock was just 19 years old when he came before Judge Michael Montero on charges of possession of a controlled substance in 2015. By all appearances, he took full advantage of the opportunity granted him back then to avoid a felony conviction by successfully completing the drug court program. He got his certificate of completion for drug court on August 7, 2017, leaving him with just a year on probation.
That picture changed, when less than three months after graduating from the drug court program he was back before the judge to face charges of violating his probation. A disappointed Judge Montero rescinded Ashlock’s diversion and sentenced him to a felony for the 2015 drug possession charge. The judge gave him a 30-day stint in jail before releasing him for a second chance to successfully complete his probation.
He was only out of jail a very short time before being arrested for driving under the influence. That was followed by his probation officer finding methamphetamine at his residence and Ashlock testing positive for the drug in his system.
In court Feb. 20, Ashlock acknowledged he’d “messed up.” He added, “I know I’ve been here a couple of times. I don’t know what else to say.” Then he asked for one more chance to go back on probation.
The judge went over Ashlock’s history with the Sixth Judicial District, then let out a long breath, saying, “It’s been a long road.”
Speaking of the DUI arrest, the judge said the difference this time was that Ashlock had been behind the wheel of a vehicle while under the influence.
“Had it been under different circumstances, if you weren’t running the risk of harming other people, I may have made a different decision,” Montero said. He added that although making a judgement is never easy when determining someone’s freedom or the loss of it, Ashlock’s actions had made this decision plain.
He then revoked Ashlock’s probation and ordered him to serve his original sentence in prison, saying “I wish it were different Mr. Ashlock; I do.”
Ashlock was assessed $153 for DNA collection and analysis, a $250 public defender fee, $25 administrative assessment and a $60 forensic fee. He was remanded to the custody of Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office to be transferred to prison.
