After apologizing to victims, a drug addict was told to prove he was sorry by changing his life.
District Court Judge Todd Plewe addressed Roscoe Hampson, 27, of Cortez, during sentencing on Thursday, March 19.
“You need to take responsibility for your addiction,” Plewe added.
Plewe accepted a plea deal that required Hampson to plead guilty to felony aggravated motor vehicle theft and trespass charges. Hampson was sentenced to 90 days in jail, ordered to 24 months of supervised probation, 90 hours of community service, daily alcohol and drug testing, electronic monitoring and six months of in-patient treatment. A restitution hearing was set for April 24.
Victims opposed the deal, which includes a 24-month deferred judgment.
Hampson was charged after stealing multiple vehicles from a local auto dealer over Halloween weekend. After a pursuit, he was captured while allegedly trying to steal a county tanker truck.
According to police, Hampson stole a 2005 Ford Explorer, a 2003 Dodge Ram and a 2006 Mazda 6 from Sunshine Motors on Main Street. He also reportedly stole a 2013 Ford Explorer from a resident.
Plewe warned Hampson that drug court requirements would be challenging – only about half of all participants graduate. If Hampson fails, he could be sentenced to a minimum of four years in prison.
Reading from a prepared written statement, Hampson apologized for his actions, stating that he was terrorized by his decade-long addiction to crystal meth. During a previous three-year prison sentence, Hampson said he half-heartedly participated in a 96-hour drug treatment program.
“I want to change my life,” he said. “I need more help.”
