GOSHEN COUNTY – The Goshen County Circuit Court came into session at 11 a.m. Monday morning for the sentencing of Goshen County man, Jonathan Block, after having plead guilty to domestic battery and property destruction.

Presiding over the proceeding was Judge Nathaniel Hibben, with Deputy Goshen County and Prosecuting Attorney Colby Sturgeon representing the state of Wyoming.

Wyoming Public Defender, Denny Harts, was present in representing the defense of Block.

According to Judge Hibben, the primary focus of the hearing was to provide much needed restitution to the victim of said battery and property destruction.

Prosecuting Attorney Sturgeon promptly addressed this matter before the court.

“Your Honor, the state will be recommending that we have restitution figures of $2,217.57 in terms of replacing a window and a kitchen light,” Sturgeon stated. “This as well as what it would take to replace some chairs that were broken, and some security cameras. Your Honor that’s really the state’s big thing. I’m hoping that the victim is repaid for her restitution essentially.”

Sturgeon continued before the court, acknowledging Block had thus far met and had been compliant with all terms and requirements of his bond.

“As I recall, Your Honor at the time of the incident, he was very intoxicated,” Sturgeon continued. “It started at the bar and all of those things. Hopefully he can get some tools through that potentially for in the future, with the other thing being that Mr. Block do an Addiction Severity Index (ASI). My understanding in pleading guilty, or being released from jail is that he has been blowing [breathalyzers] every day at the Goshen Detention Center, and my knowledge is that there haven’t been any issues. He has been sober, and that’s really where the state is coming from. Mr. Harts and I spoke outside, and we had chatted about what a disposition would look like. We are looking at [Block] making payments of a couple hundred bucks a month to pay restitution. I think that would be really appropriate with some potential underlying jail. That would maybe add some teeth in making sure he is law abiding.”

In response to both the prosecution and the state, Harts mostly concurred with Sturgeon noting that restitution, probation and a suspended jail sentence would be appropriate for this particular case.

“Quite simply we are in agreement with restitution,” Harts said. “We have one issue with the estimate, but most of that has been done already. Mr. Block has been helping the victim in this case actually in repairing the doors and window. We are not contesting any dollar amount, and we do believe that it is appropriate. We would ask any jail to be suspended, as my client is working and needs to be making payments to get that restitution paid. With that I would ask that jail be suspended with credit for time already served. Mr. Sturgeon stated two terms running consecutively that would allow him to make a 200 dollar a month payment, and would allow him to get everything paid off before probation ends. Again, the teeth is to make sure that this happens. He has been blowing breathalyzers daily and has been successful with that. I don’t request for an ASI, just probation with no alcohol, bars, etc.”

Just prior before giving sentencing to Block, Judge Hibben asked the defendant if he had any allocation for himself to which he replied in the negative. The court judge then proceeded to give Block a 180-day jail sentence, with credit for already serving 11 days while suspending the remaining 169 days.

“You will be placed on six months of probation,” Hibben said. “The rules of probation are to live a law-abiding life, timely pay of court costs, assessments and you are not to possess or consume any alcohol; not at bars, liquor stores, or wherever it is sold. You are required within 30 days of today to receive an alcohol evaluation, or an ASI. That’s an acronym that many evaluators use. You need an alcohol evaluation, and a licensed clinician can help you with that here in town. They are available at Volunteers of America, the Number 34 which is at the corner of 28 and West C, or Scottsbluff and Cheyenne are other places. You need to go get one at your own expense, and are required to get that to the court. If you are not sure if we have one, you better make sure we have it.”

Judge Hibben shifted to remind the defendant of taking responsibility, as well as making the correct amends for his victim; a Torrington woman who was present at the proceeding with her small child.

“It’s a private document but I will read it, and will read every word,” Hibben continued. “I find that as being part of the accountability factor, and hopefully I won’t see you back in court anymore. At least behind the scenes there is continued monitoring of your file. If it recommends outpatient treatment you need to do that, or it might recommend something higher. Intensive outpatient treatment or inpatient, I don’t now but it is the order of the court. I order you to do exactly what it says, and likewise find that that alcohol is significant in this case.

“Restitution will also be ordered, will be payable to [the victim], and payments you make will go to her first,” Hibben continued. “I hope you can perceive some of the fundamental unfairness. Her front door is broken, and she has the bill. She has to wait for you, and your lawyer says you can do 200 dollars a month. Fine, that’s the order of the court but you need to make this right today. If you have to find extra work, make it work and make it right. If you have to borrow money, then borrow money. You need to have everything paid within one year. You will go over this with your counsel, and this is all very reasonable as you have received good advice here. Like I said get to work, pay extra if you can and it will go directly to her. Good luck to you. You have several months of sobriety under your belt, and that will be the foundation. Sobriety is where you will build something better.”

The court stood in recess at 11:25 a.m.