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| | Wednesday, March 29, 2017
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Alverez in Cocke County Circuit Court
Judge Ben Hooper addressed a number of cases Tuesday during a full day in Cocke County Criminal Court. The court spent a period of time on the case of Jason Alverez, 35, Hooper Highway, Cosby, who is charged with seven counts of the sale and delivery of oxymorphone and heroin, jail escape, and the attempted introduction of heroin and oxycodone into the county jail. Assistant Prosecutor Joanne Sheldon told the court she had offered the defendant a reduced prison term if he would plead guilty, however Alverez was hesitant to accept the deal. Sheldon told Judge Hooper that the case was made by the drug task force and the TBI. Alverez was offered a plea, however Sheldon later determined that the drug sales were made from the defendant's former home,just 850 feet from the Parrottsville Elementary School. So the prosecutor said if the defendant doesn't accept the offer, the charges will be dropped and Alverez will be re-indicted on sales within a drug-free school zone. Sheldon said Alverez is facing a prison term of up to 142 years, and under state law, a heroin sale in a drug free zone must be served at 100 percent. Defense Attorney Julie Myrick told the court she has attempted to advise the defendant regarding his options, and in turn Alverez asked Judge Hooper to provide him with a replacement appointed attorney. That request was rejected by the court. Sheldon then withdrew the plea offer and indicated she will re-indict the defendant on the enhanced charge. The court did accept a guilty plea from Eric Joseph Hause, 33, Navaho Drive, Newport on charges of attempted aggravated arson and vandalism over $1,000. The subject set fire to bedding, curtains and other household items outside of his home in January, damaging the side of the residence and a satellite dish. Three individuals were inside the home at the time of the fire. The damage to the residence is estimated at $2,250, and the plea deal includes a provision that Hause pay restitution. The defendant was given a ten year term on probation but will attend Recovery Soldiers, a drug rehab program funded by Empower Cocke County, for a period of the probation. Stewart Brown, 34, Johnson Street, Newport came to court for arraignment on three counts of the sale and delivery of Buprenorphine. But when he failed a drug screen for marijuana, cocaine and a prescription drug, Brown was jailed and his case will be addressed at a later date. During the hearing Judge Hooper decried the serious drug problem in the community. The court said Cocke County is the leading county in Tennessee for drug abuse, and he was also told the county ranks third nationally for it's serious drug problem. Daveen Dotson, 36, Greeneville, appeared on a probation violation. She attempted to explain away her violation at which time the court told her to "quit lying." Also Probation Officer Darrell Kerr told the court that Dotson had earlier admitted to using suboxone while an inmate in the jail. As a result, Judge Hooper ordered Dotson to serve 108 days in jail before returning to probation.
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