DARLINGTON — Lafayette County Circuit Judge Duane Jorgenson accepted a joint recommendation of three years probation for a pregnant Rewey woman convicted of her first drug offenses but who has been proactive in getting sober.
Jessica Rae Hoey, 27, pleaded no contest June 20 to two felony counts of bail jumping and one felony count of possessing methamphetamine, along with misdemeanor charges of receiving stolen property and possessing drug paraphernalia.
A related charge of possessing drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture methamphetamine was dismissed but “read in,” meaning the judge could consider it at sentencing. Other related charges were fully dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
According to the criminal complaint, police pulled over Hoey in January on East Platteville Avenue in Belmont for having loud exhaust and no driver’s license. A search of her vehicle located 0.7 grams of methamphetamine, along with marijuana, two hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia.
Police also found that on Jan. 29, Hoey was posting tools for sale on Facebook Marketplace that had been stolen from an area auto body shop. A search warrant on Hoey’s Town of Willow Springs residence located the stolen tools in the garage, as well as drug paraphernalia in the home. Hoey tested positive for methamphetamine, cocaine and amphetamines.
Both Lafayette County District Attorney Jenna Gill and Hoey’s attorney, Timothy Angel, recommended that Hoey receive three years on probation and complete treatment programming at ARC Community Services, Inc., in Madison. ARC is a nonprofit women’s services agency operating 12 programs across Wisconsin assisting women and their children with issues such as substance abuse, trauma recovery, child abuse and neglect, as well as those involved in the criminal justice system.
Angel said his client has been proactive in getting herself clean after being addicted to meth.
Hoey has no previous criminal history and has been participating voluntarily in the ARC program and doing well, Gill said. Hoey’s treatment programming has been designed to continue three months after she gives birth, with her due date in October.
“These offenses are serious in nature, but Ms. Hoey is motivated to stay sober and clean. She has a child she needs to care for now,” Gill said.
Court Services Director Kris Fleming praised ARC Community Services for their work. She also praised Hoey, who had already been in the program for three months at the time of her sentencing.
Hoey realized she was unable to stop using methamphetamine without extra support, Fleming said. The ARC programming has also allowed Hoey to attend parenting classes, see a psychiatrist, take relationship classes, learn how to budget money and participate in substance abuse groups.
“From everything I have heard, she is really taking to heart a lot of the information she has been receiving and I have really high hopes for her,” Fleming said.
Jorgenson recognized Hoey’s proactive engagement with treatment and wished her success.
“Meth is perhaps the more difficult and more menacing drug that individuals are unfortunate enough to engage in the use of,” he said.
When given the chance to address the court, Hoey said she was appreciative of everything everyone had said and was grateful for the opportunities given to her.
“Nothing in life that is worth it is easy,” she said.