A local man, who pleaded guilty to nearly five-year-old drug offences, convinced a judge that he's a different person today.
Jessie Hachey admitted he was guilty of four charges when he appeared in a Sault Ste. Marie courtroom on Feb. 10.
The offences stemmed from a June 19, 2020 incident where city police officers executed a search warrant at an Anita Boulevard residence.
Hachey, 37, pleaded to possession of currency ($6,300) obtained by crime and possession of 29.4 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.
As well, he was convicted of two lesser counts of simple possession of psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and benzodiazepine.
During a sentencing hearing on April 10, federal prosecutor Ben Pritchard called for a 18-month jail term, less the time that the accused has spent in pre-sentence custody since Oct. 11 of last year.
Hachey was involved in the business of selling highly-addictive cocaine and other drugs, the Crown said.
Pritchard also told the court the accused has no prior criminal record.
Hachey, who was self-represented, proposed time-served or a blended sentence – the time he's already spent in jail plus house arrest.
"I haven't touched drugs while in jail, and there are drugs there," he said, outlining the steps and programs he's taken to turn his life around during his six months at the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre
Superior Court Justice Patrick Boucher said his submission to the court showed understanding and that "he wants to stay on the correct path."
Hachey, who once was employed as a wood worker and electrician and was a homeowner "effectively lost everything to addiction and selling drugs," the judge said.
"Rehabilitation is an important factor."
Boucher noted during Hachey's time behind bars he experienced difficult pre-sentence conditions, including lockdowns, 120 days in over-crowded cells, and 15 days with no showers.
The Crown's proposed sentence is in the range for a first-time Indigenous offender of this age, he said.
But the judge decided a 12-month jail sentence would be appropriate in this case.
With the credit Hachey received for the time already spent behind bars, he faces a five-month conditional sentence under house arrest.
During that time, he must be in his residence between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., except for medical emergencies.
As well, Hachey must participate in any recommended assessments and counselling, and can have no drugs or alcohol.
"If you do breach the sentence you will serve the rest of the time in jail," Boucher warned.
His custody term will be followed by 18 months probation, during which time he must continue with his counselling.
"You will be supervised in the community for the next two years," the judge told him.
Hachey was ordered to provide a DNA sample for the national database.