Jaron Agante Broadus
La Plata, MD – You know you’re not in a good place when you’re brought into Charles County Circuit Court in La Plata in handcuffs. It’s especially bad when the last time you were there, the judge gave you a huge break, and the reason you’re back there is because despite all the court has done to give you consideration, you failed to stay out of trouble and here you are again.
That was the case for Jaron Agante Broadus, 24 of Accokeek, who appeared before Judge H. James West Tuesday, May 3 on a violation of probation.
“I recall your case,” West told Broadus. “It was your first time in court and I sentenced you based on that.”
Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Tiffany Campbell said that since he was given probation on his initial case dating from March 23, 2014, Broadus has accumulated two new charges, both cases in Worchester and Prince George’s counties from Dec. 26. 2014 and June 5, 2015 respectively.
“We’re asking for backup time,” Campbell noted. “Condition for his probation is that he obey all laws. He turns around and gets convictions for the same exact charges, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.”
Broadus’ attorney, Edward O’Connor Jr., told the court that when his client was arrested on the initial possession with intent to distribute charge in Charles County, the marijuana was actually not on his person.
“He told the cops that the marijuana in his girlfriend’s purse was his,” O’Connor stated.
“Chivalry is not dead,” the judge said.
“We come to a point where you don’t want to be here, and I don’t want you to be here,” West told the defendant. “You were given a suspended sentence by me and two years of unsupervised probation to go on about your life. You didn’t just pick up one new charge, you picked up two new charges.
“You can’t pick up two new charges while you’re on probation,” he added.
West sentenced Broadus to 10 months in the Charles County Detention Center.
“Your sentence starts today,” he said.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com