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Dealing crack gets man 12 years |
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Tuesday, July 29 2008 |
Arcola man sentenced to 12 years for selling crack cocaine to a confidential informant.
By TJ HEMLINGER
Staff writer
A 26-year-old man from Arcola was sentenced to 12 years in jail with 10 to serve and two on probation in Circuit Court Monday morning for selling crack cocaine to a confidential informant.
Nick S. Hauser had pleaded guilty to a Class B felony charge of dealing cocaine and a Class D felony charge of theft.
His family and his employer were in court Monday to support him. William Campbell, who runs a lab, said Hauser had been his employee off and on for years and said Hauser was “exemplary” and a hard worker who had given him no problems.
Hauser’s attorney, Nikos Nakos of Fort Wayne, said his client accepted responsibility for his actions and that that should be a mitigating factor. He also said he is a high school graduate and that a lengthy prison term would be a hardship on his family.
“We realize Mr. Hauser has done something wrong,” Nakos said in asking for work release.
Hauser, in turn, nearly broke down when addressing the court.
“I want to apologize to the court, my family and my friends,” Hauser said once he regained his composure. “I know I’ve made mistakes, but I’m here to acknowledge my guilt. I’m really not a bad person, but I’ve made bad choices. I would like a chance to make myself a better person.”
Prosecuting attorney Matt Rentschler said, “It’s apparent he’s unhappy with where the choices he has made have led him. He has dug himself quite a hole. He has a history of using not one but several types of substances. He has accumulated a record which justifies the court giving him a lengthy sentence.”
Hauser in turn told judge James Heuer he would be “more than happy to make my life better and get into the (Superior Court) drug and alcohol program.”
Heuer said, “It is a somewhat unusual situation for a defendant to appear with a substance abuse problem and have an employer stand up and say he’s reliable.
“If you can get a handle on your drug problem you may become a productive member of society.”
He listed as aggravating circumstances Hauser’s juvenile record, a felony conviction as an adult, the fact that Hauser previously had his probation revoked and his substance abuse history.
Heuer noted that Hauser was a high school graduate and that incarceration would be a hardship on his family.
In sentencing him to 12 years with 10 to do, Heuer specified the time be served in the county jail with an eye eventually on work release. He also ordered Hauser to make $1,930 in restitution. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, July 30 2008 )
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