Tim Monroe sentenced: Probation, fines for convicted drug dealer

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Convicted drug dealer Tim Monroe of Ridgway will not serve more time behind bars.

The former school teacher was placed on probation for a period of four years by Judge Ron Eckiss on Tuesday afternoon. Eckiss also levied a series of fines and court fees totaling about $12,500 on Monroe. Eckiss deducted $5 per day for each day Monroe has been in jail since his conviction, a total of 63 days or $315.

A Saline County jury convicted Monroe on Feb. 4 of delivery of cocaine within 1,000 feet of a church. The former Galatia school teacher was arrested on the charge in 2008.

Monroe will be released from the Saline County Detention Center today and report to First Circuit Probation Wednesday morning.

Eckiss said he took into account Monroe's status as a first-time serious offender and found he is likely to comply with the terms of probation. Eckiss also emphasized Monroe facing two similar charges did not sway his sentence in this case.

Defense attorney Paul Christenson said the judge reached the correct sentence. His client was facing 4 to 15 years in the Department of Corrections for the offense, which is a Class 1 felony.

Christenson also said he doesn't believe the other charges of delivery of cocaine will ultimately proceed to trial.

State's Attorney Mike Henshaw said he is not sure whether the state will proceed on the other drug-delivery cases.

"I'll evaluate that and let all of you guys know, and ladies," Henshaw told reporters after the hearing.

Henshaw did not give any opinion about the sentence.

"My job is to do justice and I hope that's justice," Henshaw said of the sentence.

Henshaw hopes we are all able to find out whether justice was served at some point down the road.

"We did our job; we convicted Mr. Monroe," Henshaw said.

Henshaw agreed there were errors in the trial - an issue Christenson raised in a post-conviction motion for a mistrial. Eckiss denied Christenson's motion but acknowledged some errors took place in the trial, particularly in Henshaw's closing arguments to the jury.

"Were there errors? Probably. No trial is perfect," Henshaw said.

Before a judge passes sentence, the prosecutor and defense attorney are allowed to make sentencing recommendations. Henshaw asked for a period of incarceration, but said if the judge considers probation, he should consider four years of probation and strict monitoring.

Jeff Thompson, a probation officer with First Circuit Probation, said there is nothing that should preclude Monroe from being on probation. But he would be classified as a somewhat higher risk than some other probationers because he still does not consider himself a drug dealer, Thompson said.

However, Thompson agreed there was no evidence Monroe made a living by selling drugs.

Before the sentence was handed down, Henshaw pointed to evidence showing Monroe sold drugs to John Roark after he was arrested in 2008. Monroe also supplied John Fricks with cocaine several times and sold cocaine to Maureen Mann and a waitress in Norris City before his 2008 arrest, Henshaw said

Christenson pointed to Monroe's lack of a felony record and his belief Monroe could successfully complete a period of probation.

Christenson said Monroe's close relationship with his six-year-old daughter, Lillie, will be an incentive for him to complete probation successfully.

"He's so in love with that little girl that he will do anything not to blow that probation," Christenson said.

Christenson said Monroe is an education person who should not just be thrown away because of his acknowledged drug problem.

Monroe was allowed to speak on his own behalf prior to the sentencing.

"I understand why I was arrested. I understand why I was prosecuted. I even understand why I was found guilty," Monroe said.

Monroe said he became addicted to drugs and allowed the situation to spin out of control.

"I lost grip on reality and was consumed by my addiction," Monroe said.

Monroe wonders whether the arrest and trial are God's way of saving him from himself, he said.

Monroe agreed he has let his parents, friends and daughter down.

"Words cannot describe the shame I feel," Monroe said.

"I've let this addiction take me away from the true love of my life."

Monroe also suggested he let society down by abusing drugs while employed as a teacher.

"When we become a teacher we are supposed to become an upstanding citizen, and I've failed in so many ways," Monroe said.