Despite the best efforts of his attorney, a man who has a long criminal history was compelled to finish his sentence after he was found to have violated the terms of his probation.
Jimmie Dean Roy, 38, was back in Judge Poole’s courtroom after he had possibly violated his probation by fleeing to Georgia for seven months. Roy was on probation for several crimes, which included vehicular theft and identity theft. Before running away, Roy had stayed out late that night to visit his daughter. As someone who was participating in Drug Court, Roy had a strict curfew.
This was the second time he would have violated the Drug Court standard. One of the rules of Drug Court was that Roy was not allowed to have a girlfriend. While in the program, he had a conversation with the woman who had been his girlfriend. Roy told the court that they had stopped the relationship while the two were in Drug Court.
“It was understood we had to put it aside,” said the defendant, “and they were worried I would interfere with her relationship.”
Because he was afraid of the consequences of possibly violating Drug Court rules for a second time, Roy told Judge Poole that he “got scared and went to Georgia,” where he lived with a few friends and worked on their house. After seven months in the Peach State, Roy came back and was taken into custody.
Defense attorney Julie Moya asked for an alternative to being sent to the Tennessee Department of Corrections. She asked for her client to be sent to a place like Life Changers Outreach, which is a faith-based rehabilitation program for drug addicts.
She brought in the founder of the program, Monty Reeves, to tell Judge Poole about it. He told the judge, “I’m a recovered drug addict and alcoholic, and now I’m an ordained minister,” and let the court know that he had spent 25 years in prison for alcohol-driven crimes.
He outlined the strict standards of the sober-living homes he operates. The residents need to attend at least three faith-based meetings a week, be sober before being admitted into the program, and not be guilty of any violent or sexual crimes. And possibly most-importantly, every person in the program is required to have a job.
“They have to work, and they are not allowed to have someone else pay expenses,” said Mr. Reeves. “You have to take the first job offered to you.”
Roy told the court that he was open to entering a faith-based program, and that his 15 years of house-building and construction experience made him no stranger to hard work. Prosecutor Crystle Carrion had her doubts, citing his endless criminal record that included at least eight felonies and many more misdemeanors.
Prosecutor Carrion also pointed out the reason he ran away to Georgia in the first place. In the state’s eyes, Roy knew he was guilty and would be punished, so he tried to get away from any sort of punishment. She told Judge Poole, “There were no extraordinary circumstances that show why his violation would be understandable.”
“I wish I had never ran away,” said Roy, “and looking back, I don’t think they would have revocated me.”
Before Judge Poole made his ruling, Roy’s attorney said, “It’s been a learning experience for him, and I do believe this man has shown why his actions will be different.”
In the end, Judge Poole decided to order his eight-year sentence into execution, citing Roy’s multiple law violations and his countless second-chances.
“Mr. Roy has been given chance, after chance, after chance,” said Judge Poole. “The system has tried to work with Mr. Roy.”