Andrew Pugh was recently sent to serve 12 to 48 months in prison with 125 days credit for time served after admitting to violating five different rules of his probation.
Deputy District Attorney Max Stovall said that Pugh had admitted to using methamphetamine in September and November in 2019 and that he charged at a probation officer, instigating law enforcement involvement.
Pugh had been ordered to complete the Humboldt County Adult Drug Court program in late 2017 and five years of probation after admitting to possessing nine grams of methamphetamine.
Pugh successfully completed drug court in June 2019 and asked Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Michael Montero to be able to go through the program again at his most recent probation violation hearing in January.
Humboldt County Alternate Public Defender Maureen McQuillan told the court that Pugh has been to prison and is not afraid of going back, but rather is afraid of getting out of prison and starting to use drugs again.
Deputy District Attorney Kevin Pasquale said that the department of parole and probation recommended prison at the time of sentencing and Pugh was given a chance at completing drug court, which he successfully did.
Pasquale said Pugh’s past includes three prison stays and 25 convictions and recommended that the court revoke his probation and send him to prison rather than giving him a chance to complete drug court again.
“He had his chance more than most people, more than he earned,” said Pasquale. “He can be very articulate and persuasive in his writing, I think we shouldn’t get fooled again and we should proceed with this recommendation.”
Pugh apologized to everyone who has been involved in the case and said he’s trying to change.
“This past fall was stressful and I had no excuse to be doing drugs again,” said Pugh. “I feel like I’m so close to having this, to having a good life. I brought a kid into this world and it's more than just me and I realize that I’ve got to change now.”
Montero said that although he accepts Pugh’s apology, the court had previously gone against recommendations of both the district attorney and the department of parole and probation to give Pugh his first opportunity at drug court.
Montero revoked Pugh’s probation and denied the request to complete the drug court program again, sending him to serve 12-48 months in prison with 125 days credit for time served.
“Now it’s going to be on you to make the right choices going forward,” said Montero. “I wish you the very best of luck.”
