MONROE - A Monroe man charged with keeping cocaine and heroin in his downtown apartment pleaded guilty to the felonies and was sentenced in Green County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Feb. 15, to four years of probation and 30 days of jail.
Norman J. Wells, 45, is also ordered to reimburse $250 to the undercover agents who bought drugs from him during the investigation that led to his April 20 arrest at his home in the 1700 block of 11th Street. As part of the probation agreement, he must abstain from drinking and drugs and submit to an Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) assessment.
"You have to follow these rules, or you've made me a fool," Judge James Beer told Wells.
Probation is a risk because Wells has a criminal history of abusing and dealing drugs, Beer said, but it's a risk the court is willing to take to give Wells a final chance at rehabilitation.
"Your children look to you for an example. What you do determines a great deal in how your kids are going to turn out," Beer said. "If you can show them by your own example that you're done, they're going to say, 'Wow, Dad's different.' "
"They've already said it, Your Honor," responded Wells. He's the father of four, the youngest of whom is 15, and he said he's maintained sobriety since his arrest.
The search warrant for Wells' home was part of an ongoing investigation into alleged heroin and cocaine trafficking to young people. He was initially also charged with selling cocaine and heroin and maintaining a drug-trafficking place, but those charges were dropped.
Prosecutor Gary Luhman and defense attorney Dennis Ryan agreed Wells' drug use was in a downward spiral when agents searched his home last April. Ryan said the man's situation less than a year ago was in "plummet."
"It was a free fall he had held off for a while. For whatever reason, the demon got ahold of him again. He looked like a very, very sick man," Ryan said.
Of probation, Ryan continued, "This is undoubtedly his last grab at equity. He's worked hard to remain sober. I have faith in this man."
Judge Beer expressed concern that Wells, a high school dropout who says he's on permenant disability for severe asthma, would waste his potential and "vegetate."
But Wells stressed that he's ready to end his life of crime and drug abuse: "I grew up in the lifestyle and I just can't do it," he said.
Eventually, he said, he wants to go back to school and find work he can do.
"I would make a heck of an AODA counselor," Wells told the judge.
Norman J. Wells, 45, is also ordered to reimburse $250 to the undercover agents who bought drugs from him during the investigation that led to his April 20 arrest at his home in the 1700 block of 11th Street. As part of the probation agreement, he must abstain from drinking and drugs and submit to an Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) assessment.
"You have to follow these rules, or you've made me a fool," Judge James Beer told Wells.
Probation is a risk because Wells has a criminal history of abusing and dealing drugs, Beer said, but it's a risk the court is willing to take to give Wells a final chance at rehabilitation.
"Your children look to you for an example. What you do determines a great deal in how your kids are going to turn out," Beer said. "If you can show them by your own example that you're done, they're going to say, 'Wow, Dad's different.' "
"They've already said it, Your Honor," responded Wells. He's the father of four, the youngest of whom is 15, and he said he's maintained sobriety since his arrest.
The search warrant for Wells' home was part of an ongoing investigation into alleged heroin and cocaine trafficking to young people. He was initially also charged with selling cocaine and heroin and maintaining a drug-trafficking place, but those charges were dropped.
Prosecutor Gary Luhman and defense attorney Dennis Ryan agreed Wells' drug use was in a downward spiral when agents searched his home last April. Ryan said the man's situation less than a year ago was in "plummet."
"It was a free fall he had held off for a while. For whatever reason, the demon got ahold of him again. He looked like a very, very sick man," Ryan said.
Of probation, Ryan continued, "This is undoubtedly his last grab at equity. He's worked hard to remain sober. I have faith in this man."
Judge Beer expressed concern that Wells, a high school dropout who says he's on permenant disability for severe asthma, would waste his potential and "vegetate."
But Wells stressed that he's ready to end his life of crime and drug abuse: "I grew up in the lifestyle and I just can't do it," he said.
Eventually, he said, he wants to go back to school and find work he can do.
"I would make a heck of an AODA counselor," Wells told the judge.