At a district court sentencing on April 24, Andrew Leigh Pullen was given a chance to go back to work and avoid prison, with the stipulation that he successfully complete drug court and 36 months of probation among other conditions, after pleading guilty to the unlawful use of a controlled substance.
Pullen’s attorney Robert Dolan presented to the court that Pullen has had an issue with alcohol since the age of 15 and “just hasn’t freed himself from the yoke of alcohol and drugs,” adding that he would be a good candidate for substance abuse treatment rather than prison, stating that he still has his job available to him in the restaurant of a local casino.
Montero stated that Pullen must be a valuable employee, as his office received a call from Pullen’s employer after being put in jail. “His employer chastized me for putting their cook in jail,” said Montero.
“He’s not a violent man but he’s suffering from his addictions and I ask the court to show mercy on him,” said Dolan.
The department of parole and probation expressed concerns with his long history in treatment programs prior to this charge, including three other substance abuse treatment programs and probation.
“I would like one more chance to get back to my family,” said Pullen.
Pullen was found guilty of being under the influence of a controlled substance, a category E felony. He was sentenced to 19-48 months in prison with credit for 65 days time served. The prison sentence was suspended and he was sentenced to 36 months probation and ordered to complete the Humboldt County Drug Court program as a condition of the probation term.
In addition to completing drug court, he was ordered to pay a $3 DNA collection fee, $25 administrative assessment fee, $60 forensic fee and $250 public defender fee.
He was ordered to no alcoholic beverages or controlled substances, over the counter medication containing alcohol or narcotics unless prescribed by a licensed medical professional and approval from supervising probation officer, no cocktail lounges, bars, liquor stores or places where alcohol is the primary source of revenue, granting the exception that he be able to work in the kitchen of a casino. No smoke shops, vape shops or marijuana dispensaries.
“What I’ve done today is I’ve given you the maximum sentence. If you can prove to all of us that you can do probation, you won’t have to do four years in prison, but if you mess up I want you to understand that I’m not going to mess around,” said Montero. “Don’t let me down or don’t let any of us down.”
