Drug abuse treatment suspends prosecution
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WAYNESBURG – Prosecution of a Waynesburg woman for selling heroin to an undercover detective was ordered held in abeyance pending her treatment for addiction. The action was taken under a provision of the crimes code allowing for disposition in lieu of trial.
Sarah Renee Denzer, 20, of 437 Race St., is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
She was arrested after selling 10 stamp bags of heroin to an undercover detective March 11, 2011. During a search of her residence Sept. 9, 2011, two empty stamp bags were found containing heroin residue.
Under the law, a person charged with a nonviolent crime who claims to be drug dependent can, prior to trial, request appropriate treatment in lieu of prosecution.
A physician is then appointed to examine and review the defendant’s records and recommend whether it would be preferable for the defendant’s rehabilitation for charges to be held in abeyance in order to institute treatment.
In his order, Greene County Judge Farley Toothman found the defendant had sought appropriate medical treatment for addiction, the disposition was consistent with the forensic psychiatric evaluation prepared by the physician and was recommended by the district attorney.
He ordered that Denzer remain under supervision of the probation office for five years and provide all the necessary documents supporting her continued care and abide by all the recommended treatments.
In another case before the court, Christopher Neligh, 28, of 573 Jacobs Ferry Road, Carmichaels, was found guilty Wednesday of driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a license following a nonjury trial before Judge William Nalitz.
Neligh was arrested by Cumberland Township police May 27, 2012, at the Parkview Knoll Apartments. Police had been called to the apartments for a report of a fight and saw Neligh leaving in a vehicle. He later returned and spoke with officers. Neligh smelled of alcohol and failed field sobriety tests, police said. A blood test indicated a blood-alcohol content of 0.130 percent.
Neligh will be sentenced later.