On May 1, Robert Hodnett appeared for sentencing after violating the terms of his probation by being under the influence of a controlled substance, the same charge for which he was originally arrested for. At the sentencing, he was given a second chance at completing probation and the Humboldt County Drug Court program.
Hodnett was on probation after a 2017 charge of being under the influence of a controlled substance, a category E felony. The felony sentence was diverted and Hodnett was placed on probation, with the condition that he complete the drug court program and abstain from using or possessing controlled substances.
Hodnett violated the terms of his probation when he ran away from his probation officers. He was found to have paraphernalia in his backpack and tested positive for controlled substances, after which time he did participate in the drug court program.
Public Defender Maureen McQuillan asked the court to grant Hodnet another chance at the program. “I really think it helped him and I hope it will continue to help him if you see fit to allow him to continue to participant in that,” said McQuillan.
When Hodnett addressed the court, he indicated he was doing really good and was working, he said he has achieved more in the last year than he had in his entire life and wished to remain on the program.
“Today I’m going to give you another opportunity at the program,” said Judge Michael Montero. “I also want to impress upon you that these opportunities are not going to continue to exist for you.
Montero ordered that the proceedings be suspended and Hodnett be placed back on probation for a period of three years, with the guarantee that if Hodnett ends up back in court, he will go to prison.
The special conditions of Hodnett’s three-year probation include completely abstaining from using, consuming, purchasing or possessing alcohol or controlled substances to include marijuana, inhalants, chemicals, solvents or poisons with the intent to induce euphoria, abstaining from all medications that contain narcotics without prior approval from a probation officer and medical professional.
Abstaining from being present in an establishment where alcohol is the primary source of revenue including bars, cocktail lounges, liquor stores and casinos. He is not to be in a smoke shop, vape shop or dispensary. He was ordered to complete the Humboldt County Drug Court program.
He was also ordered to stay in the courtroom following his sentencing and speak to the fifth grade students who were visiting the court on a fieldtrip to give them advice about participating in the use of drugs and alcohol and to answer some of the kids’ questions about his life choices.
Hodnett addressed the kids and told them how drugs have affected his life and how he has also been addicted to “not being in reality” and has used drugs to avoid his problems. The kids heard about all the things he has to do as a condition of his probation including a complete lack of privacy with drop-in visits and searches possible at any time without warning, drug testing and paying fines.
Hodnett said his biggest regret is that he didn’t finish high school, he was in jail the night his peers were walking at graduation.
