Michael Todd Rosencrantz was ordered to complete the Humboldt County Drug Court Program as a condition of formal probation and as part of a diversion program that will allow him to avoid a felony drug conviction upon successful completion.
Rosencrantz, age 31, was arrested in April and recently pleaded guilty to category E felony possession of a controlled substance (Heroin) in Humboldt County.
The category E felony charge carries a penalty of one to four years in prison, up to a $5,000 fine and probation is mandatory under most circumstances.
Rosencrantz filed an application for diversion, which allows him to complete a substance abuse treatment program and rescind his guilty plea upon successful completion of the treatment program and probation.
Deputy District Attorney Richard Haas did not oppose the application for treatment on behalf of the state.
Rosencrantz told the court that he hopes to find recovery and structure in the diversion program if approved.
“I honestly need your court, it’s really hard to stay clean and sober and I need something that’s going to give me the structure to learn how to do that and learn how to live a good life,” said Rosencrantz.
Rosencrantz was previously given the opportunity to participate in the drug court program as a condition of his pretrial release and subsequently stopped showing up, which led to a warrant and his arrest prior to his sentencing hearing.
“Having reviewed all the information here I think you’re a good candidate for diversion. I guess it’s a little troubling that you stopped showing up,” said Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Michael Montero. “If you mess it up this time then you will likely go to prison, this is your opportunity at community supervision for this category E felony. If you successfully complete this probation you will have the benefit and the opportunity to withdraw the plea.”
Rosencrantz was ordered to complete the 18-month adult drug court program as a condition of a three-year formal probation period. He was ordered to pay a $250 public defender fee, $60 forensic fee, $25 administrative assessment fee and $3 DNA collection fee.
Rosencrantz was ordered to abstain from all drugs, alcohol, marijuana, inhalants, chemicals, poisons, hallucinogens, solvents, bars, liquor stores, dispensaries, vape shops, casinos and from being in any place where alcohol is the primary source of revenue as a part of his probation requirements.
