Whitley Circuit Judge Dan Ballou, who as a district judge had people doing push-ups in his courtroom, isn’t known for being a particularly lenient judge.
However, Monday afternoon he agreed to grant shock probation to a Williamsburg woman, who became addicted to drugs following a car wreck and then went on to become the ringleader of a prescription drug ring.
Ballou admitted that he was kind of doubtful, but he agreed to give Tonya Thacker, 26, a chance at redemption.
"Don’t blow it!" Ballou told her. "One itsy, bitsy violation and off you go."
Thacker’s case is somewhat unusual as are some of her release conditions, which indirectly call for her to now try and help people get off drugs.
On May 2, Ballou sentenced her to 15 years in prison after she pleaded guilty to five counts of theft of a prescription blank, five counts of trafficking in a prescription blank, and five counts of trafficking in a controlled substance.
She also plead guilty to one count of committing or conspiring to commit first-degree trafficking in a controlled substance by fraud and obtaining a controlled substance by fraud "in which the criminal syndicate was engaging in on a continual basis" from June 1, 2007, through Aug. 1, 2009.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble said that Thacker stole a whole pad of prescription blanks from a local doctor, and she was writing forged prescriptions on those blanks.
The people receiving the forged prescriptions allegedly took them to a drug store, filled the prescriptions, and gave Thacker half of the pills.
During Monday’s hearing, Thacker’s attorney, David Jorjani, called several witnesses on her behalf.
Mary Ruth Meadows, who teaches adult education, said that she had known Thacker for over 15 years.
Meadows said that about 10 years ago, she was addicted to drugs herself. Thacker, who was sober at the time, witnessed to Meadows at church.
"Her witnessing to me had a tremendous effect on me," Meadows testified.
Meadows, who is a facilitator with Celebrate Recovery, a Christ centered drug rehabilitation group, said that Thacker only became addicted to drugs after going through a very bad car accident.
When Thacker became addicted to drugs, Meadows reached out to her.
Meadows said that prior to Thacker being arrested, she had started going to Celebrate Recovery seeking help, and since then has been instrumental in helping others.
"I’ve seen her witness to people, who have come into this program," Meadows testified. "I think Tonya would be an excellent facilitator. I think Tonya would make an excellent candidate for shock probation."
Shock probation is designed for largely first-time, non-violent offenders. The idea behind it is that spending 30 to 90 days in prison will be enough to shock the offender into straightening up and not wanting to return to prison.
Jacquelyn Cox, another facilitator with Celebrate Recovery, noted that she met Thacker about one year ago.
Thacker came in on her own after deciding that she didn’t want to live addicted to drugs any more, Cox testified.
She said Thacker has recovered, is in a stable condition and able to give testimony herself.
Cox described Thacker as a leader.
"When I see Tonya, I see strength," Cox testified. "I can’t say that I have met anyone, who surpasses Tonya. I wouldn’t come up here for just anyone. Tonya is an exception.
"Tonya’s about as good a bet to do well as anyone we have ever had. The court couldn’t have a better candidate for shock probation."
Ballou noted that although it may sound cynical, a description of Thacker as a "leader" isn’t necessarily something that is music to his ears.
To get others involved in a criminal syndicate, you have to be a good leader, he noted.
Ballou added that people have assumed leadership positions in drug treatment programs before in order to sell drugs.
"I messed up and I messed up big," Thacker testified Monday. "Life sometimes throws us curveballs that are unexpected. I know where God has brought me from."
Thacker said that she has been faced with a simple choice of either doing nothing, or turning her life around and using it for God and to help people get off drugs.
"I’ve laid down my own will and picked up Christ," she testified.
Rev. Jerome McCullah, who has been pastor at Yaden Church of God since 1974, testified that he had known Thacker ever since she was born.
McCullah said that a lot of times people will run to church when they have problems until things pass, and then move away in the other direction.
McCullah testified that he has ministered to hundreds of people with drug problems, and that he believes Thacker has what it takes to continue to make a difference in people’s lives.
"I just wish we could see more of it," McCullah testified.
Jorjani noted Thacker already has a job lined up if she is released from court, and that he feels she would be a proven and effective weapon in the war against drugs if released.
If not for her car wreck, Jorjani said that we would probably be reading stories about her building schools for orphans and things of that nature.
Jorjani noted that Thacker was willing to abide by any conditions that Ballou would include, if he granted shock probation.
Although he had reservations about it, Ballou agreed to grant her shock probation Monday, but there are plenty of conditions.
Ballou approved a couple of conditions that Trimble recommended, including that Thacker complete drug court and that she perform 200 hours of community service each of the five years she is being placed on probation.
Serving as a facilitator in the Celebrate Recovery program counts towards that community service requirement.
He also ordered her to be at her home church, Yaden Church of God, "every time the doors are open."
Thacker had no objection to any of the shock probation conditions.
After she was released, she hugged several friends, family members and supporters, who attended the hearing.
