Trial was set for April 7. I filed motions and legal challenges, but all signs pointed to heading to trial. I knew I couldn’t go to trial. Although there are issues with the government’s case, I did break the law and there is no way around that. The jury would find me guilty on numerous counts, and I would likely be taken into custody and face a much stiffer sentence. I needed to take responsibility and work to improve my chances for the future. So I finally engaged with the standby counsel public defender and we worked on accepting the plea deal at the last minute. I should not have waited so long. I should not have delayed and made things harder on the prosecution, the judge, and in the end on myself. With only days to spare before trial started, I accepted the plea deal and had the plea hearing the next day, April 4, 2025. Now onto the sentencing this summer, scheduled for July 17. I’m ready for whatever comes my way, and I will continue to do the work of redemption and rebuilding through growth and change.
