La Plata, MD – For Frederick Tyrone Anderson, 43 of Waldorf, there was a happy ending when he appeared before Charles County Circuit Court Judge Helen I. Harrington Wednesday, Aug. 3.
Anderson was two years into a 10-year sentence at the Maryland Department of Corrections in Jessup when he was allowed to go to the Jude House in Waldorf for drug counseling.
Charles County Deputy States Attorney Karen Piper-Mitchell told the court on Monday that when Anderson finished his treatment, Jude House released him March 15.
Harrington scheduled a review hearing for documentation on what the defendant had been doing in the community since March.
“He has been in aftercare at New Roots and is concurrently with the aftercare program,” Anderson’s attorney, Thomas C. Mooney explained.
“He should never have been released in the first place,” Charles County Assistant States Attorney Jonathan Beattie told the court. “The state’s position is, he was dealing drugs, not using them.
“He should be serving 10 years,” the prosecutor added. “He got a windfall.”
“The day he was released, Mr. Anderson called me,” Mooney countered. “He wanted to know what he was supposed to do. He went to parole and probation and was turned away.
“Did he get a windfall?” Mooney asked. “The defense may tend to be biased, but I disagree. He completed the program with honors. He was a positive force within the program. He believed in that program. A windfall? I don’t think so.
“This happened,” he continued. “I’m hoping it happened for a reason.”
The judge asked Anderson if he was currently in any alcohol or drug treatment support groups and he responded that he attended N/A and AA meetings twice a week.
“This case has gotten screwed up at every step,” Harrington said. “I’m thankful you’re not a violent person. I chalk this one up to pure blind luck,” she said.
“Obviously, you are a person we can take a chance with,” the judge said. “I see nothing to be gained by incarceration. When you were released, I was on medical leave. Your paperwork got screwed up. I’m going to authorize your release and place you on five years of supervised probation. That begins today,” she added.
She also gave the defendant credit for 632 days of time served.
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