La Plata, MD – It was too little too late for Antonio Cornelius Porter, 24 of Waldorf, was sentenced to one year in jail with all but seven days suspended by Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier Tuesday, Oct. 7 after he violated parole.
Porter was in court to plead guilty to driving while intoxicated on a suspended license.
Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney John A. Stackhouse said the defendant still owed $530.42 from a Dec. 2013 burglary charge.
“It’s been 10 months since his last payment,” Stackhouse said.
Public Defender John Getz told the court he had three money orders from Porter for $251 toward restitution in his hand.
“Why didn’t you send it in?” Stackhouse asked.
“Well, they were just handed to me,” Getz said.
“This defendant comes in over and over,” Stackhouse said. “He admits to the violation, then he comes in again and doesn’t have money. It gets continued and then he gets a new DUI charge and blows a .25. That’s where we are. I ask that you give him some time in this case,” he told Bragunier.
“The burglary charge goes back to 2009,” Getz countered. “It’s clear he needs to address his alcohol issue. He cuts grass, he is industrious. He’s trying to go back to school.”
“I’ve been 19 months sober,” Porter told the court. “I’m trying to make something out of my life. I’m trying to take care of my mother and two kids. My mindset is different now.”
“He hasn’t done treatment, he hasn’t made payments, he hasn’t done community service,” Stackhouse stated. “He’s just not doing what he’s supposed to be doing.”
Bragunier then sentenced Porter to one year in jail, with all but seven days suspended. She added he will be on three years of supervised probation upon his release and must pay the rest of restitution to his victims from the burglary case.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com