John W. Alvarado
Leonardtown, MD — A St. Mary’s County man’s “life of crime” finally caught up with him on Thursday, Jan. 8. John Alvarado, 37, of Lexington Park was sentenced by Judge David Densford to 15 years in jail after pleading guilty to attempted first-degree burglary.
The hefty sentence was the result of Alvarado’s record which the judge enumerated as 14 offenses since 1999 that included a run in with the law almost every year since then. “You are done and I am going to put a sentence on you that shows you are done,” Judge Densford said.
Alvarado was indicted along with two other men in July of 2013 in connection with a break-in and theft of firearms from a home in Dameron. In the other two cases Devon Johnson, 28, of Lexington Park received a net one-year sentence and Andrew Kenney, 27, of California received a net six-month sentence. In those cases the state alleged the theft occurred to secure money to buy drugs.
Alvarado’s attorney Cynthia Panos said her client admitted he was in possession of one of the stolen firearms but had not participated in the break-in.
Judge Densford had delayed sentencing in the case in October to see how Alvarado did in jail and also if he could enroll in a drug treatment program. Although he was reportedly a model prisoner, the judge was not impressed with the attempts at drug treatment. He had attended several sessions at Walden, but the judge said he was in need of a much longer-term treatment regimen.
Panos also blamed part of Alvarado’s problems on the bad influence of his wife Michelle, who is currently serving an 18-month sentence after violating her probation on a charge of attempting to drive while under the influence of drugs. “When he is with her he does not make good choices,” Panos said.
But Judge Densford noted that Alvarado’s life of crime began long before he married Michelle.
The sentencing on Thursday was delayed for a time when Alvarado contended he thought his jail time exposure was only three to seven years when agreeing to plead guilty. But after consultation with his attorney and a review of the Pre-Sentence Investigation, Alvarado agreed to proceed.
Alvarado told the judge: “I definitely learned a lot being locked up for the last year. I just want to continue with my life. I have a plan.” That plan according to Panos included living with his mother and being reunited with his four children.
Alvarado has been incarcerated for 10 months and 27 days and he was given credit for the time served. The judge also recommended he be sentenced to the Patuxent Institution so he can get drug treatment, although that decision is ultimately up to the state penal system.
The $790 restitution for damage incurred during the break-in will be the joint responsibility of the three defendants in the case.
The state was represented during sentencing by Assistant State’s Attorney Daniel White, who said, “He needs to go away for his record and his conduct.” Judge Densford agreed in sending Alvarado away for 15 years.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com