In a recent district court hearing, Cragen Yeo was ordered to complete the Humboldt County Drug Court Program as a condition of his reinstated probation, after he admitted to multiple probation violations.
This is the third time he has violated his 3-year probation terms.
Yeo was arrested on May 18, 2016, for being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm, a category B felony in Nevada. He was sentenced to 12–30 months in prison. The prison sentence was suspended to allow Yeo to complete three years of probation instead.
Yeo appeared in court in November 2017 for some of the same probation violations as the most recent hearing, which included being intoxicated, possession of a weapon and failing to fulfill financial obligations ordered by the court at sentencing.
The Department of Parole and Probation gave a recommendation to the court that Yeo’s probation be revoked and that he be sent to carry out the underlying prison sentence.
His attorney, Public Defender Maureen McQuillan asked the judge to give Yeo one more chance to obtain a substance abuse evaluation and follow the terms of his ordered probation.
“He has tried to get a substance abuse evaluation, he has had about 60 days in jail here sober, I think that’s sufficient punishment without revocation in prison,” said McQuillan. If released he will immediately get that substance abuse evaluation, and his significant other might have already done that.”
Yeo also asked the court to release him and give him yet another chance to complete the requirements of his probation.
“I will get done anything I have to get done,” said Yeo.
Judge Michael Montero reviewed Yeo’s history, stating that he noticed that Yeo, now 38 years old, had been introduced to drugs and alcohol as early as the age of 13 and had not completed a high school diploma or GED. He also noticed a history of misdemeanor charges that he said were insignificant.
Montero ordered that Yeo’s probation be reinstated, with the added conditions that he complete the 18-month Humboldt County Drug Court program and be released wearing a drug and alcohol monitoring bracelet if one is available from the court.
By ordering the completion of drug court, Montero noted that Yeo’s probation would be extended until Yeo complete the program, which could mean another year past the original end date.
“I gave you another chance by telling you to go get an alcohol evaluation. Now you’re telling me that you’re willing to make a change. Now I’m giving you that opportunity, but you’re not going to do it alone,” said Montero.
