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Linda Harris FACING THE JUDGE – Former Mingo Junction Fire Chief John Wright, right, was sentenced to six months at the East Ohio Regional Correction Center on Wednesday for violating his probation terms and being kicked out of the Jefferson County Drug Court.
STEUBENVILLE – On a day when her staff celebrated the graduation of two women who had successfully completed the Jefferson County Drug Court program, Common Pleas Judge Michelle Miller fired another participant for what ‘she called “Major offense” rules.
Former Mingo Junction Fire Chief John D. Wright, 50, was weeks away from graduating himself from the drug court program when he committed the rule violation, said Miller.
“Mr. Wright was consistent in his participation in the drug court program, he did everything he was asked to do,” Miller said, as frustrated as she was disappointed, before sentencing. “He not only took care of himself, he helped others, throughout his experience in drug courts. The reason we’re here today was because of one major violation – his major violation was providing suboxone to others.
Wright was charged in May 2020 with theft by check, theft by deception and concealment of stolen property. He pleaded guilty a month later and was ordered to pay approximately $ 4,040 in restitution to his six victims, all firefighters from Mingo Junction. Because drug and alcohol abuse was factored into his criminal activities, he was admitted to drug court. If he had completed all four phases of the program, his file would have been struck off.
Miller said he was due to complete Phase 4 on September 29 and graduate on October 6.
She said that the distribution of suboxone is “A major violation”, stressing that the state’s position is that Wright should be sent to the Eastern Ohio Regional Correctional Center for six months, followed by three years under community control.
Current Mingo Fire Chief Brandon Montgomery, who issued a victim impact statement at Wright’s 2020 hearing, has asked for clemency.
“He retired as a fire chief, he was my fire chief for many years, he hired me”, Thomas said. “I understand that people make mistakes. Everyone deserves a second chance. Obviously he was finishing his drug court, participating and helping others. I ask you to watch, to consider it. His wife is here, his parents are here, his marrying son is here, he has a family. He dedicated his life to Mingo Junction, he served over 25 years. I would like you to take that into account.
Wright’s lawyer Fran Carinci said there is no doubt that a crime has been committed, “People make mistakes”.
“But I think what he’s done in this life far outweighs the harm. He saved people’s lives… how many of us can say that? Firefighters have very high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, he’s had injuries that led to drug addiction that led to his problems, so there have been a lot of psychological issues he’s struggling with, and you don’t get better in a few months. People get it wrong, they do it – it’s part of the healing process, it’s part of the improvement process. You are never cured of drug addiction; you just try to fight it everyday and do your best.
Carinci said the Wright family are asking that he be allowed to attend his son’s wedding in October. She said they would pay for any additional expenses incurred for security.
“It’s important for his family” she said. “You don’t really punish him; you punish his family by not allowing him (to attend).
Wright, who had the opportunity to speak, only said that he “I would just like to apologize to you, your honor and the drug court team, my family and anyone else I have let down.”
Sentencing Wright to six months at the EORCC and three years of community control, Miller told him: “These types of crimes undermine the effectiveness and public perception of medically assisted treatment.” She is also still considering the possibility of allowing Wright to leave the EORCC for her son’s wedding in October.
“This tribunal agrees that you have rendered a great service to the community during your long history as a first responder”, Miller said. “You saved lives; you have been there for others. You have withstood great challenges throughout the drug court program. You didn’t help anyone by redistributing the sub-ozone …
“Most of the people who took part in the program saw you as the role model, they kept you there,” she added. “It’s not your fault, it’s because you did such a good job. And when they found out (your violation), a few of them were absolutely crushed. It made them question their sobriety and what they were doing.
In contrast, court staff were all smiles when the two graduation candidates showed up and were released from their obligations, their records deleted.
“It seems a bit anti-climatic”, Miller told the first woman, who broke down in tears. “There can’t be a big enough celebration. It will be a trip of a lifetime, there are going to be some bumps, but I think you have the tools to deal with those bumps.
She said to the second woman “You have absolutely everything you need to continue living fully with the tools you have learned and shared with others. This court couldn’t be happier for you.
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