Cromwell man in Community Corrections
August 31, 2018 at 6:45 p.m.
Cromwell man in Community Corrections
By David [email protected]
Kosciusko County Superior Court I Judge David Cates told Philip Matthew Oest he had no problem with him serving his time in Community Corrections as long as he remained qualified for it. His sentence will be served consecutively to a prior conviction.
As part of the plea agreement, charges of auto theft and theft were dismissed.
Cates also told Oest that he was not to have any drugs or alcohol and must continue residing at Serenity House until he completed that program. Oest also must pay $6,655 in restitution to his victim and not have any contact with his victim. Oest also must pay court costs and fees.
“You’ve made some good choices. Keep it up,” Cates said.
Oest said he’s been sober for eight months.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed Sept. 21, Oest stole a Chevrolet Avalanche, television, DVD and other items from his victim’s residence on Aug. 20, 2017, while the victim was incarcerated. The vehicle was found Sept. 10 in a wooded area. A woman told the investigating officer that Oest asked her if she wanted any televisions and that he was attempting to sell one for someone who was in jail.
At Oest’s sentencing Thursday, his defense attorney, Jay Rigdon, told Cates that Oest was employed and still resided at the Serenity House.
Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz said Oest has been a thief for the last 18 years but he signed off on Oest going to Serenity House to try a different approach with him. Since then, Voelz has heard nothing but positive reports from Director Hoss Smith about Oest, and “I congratulate him on that and his work,” he said.
He wondered if Oest was doing well because he had the sentencing hanging over his head or if he had finally gotten past his drug addiction. While he had “no idea,” he said he had no objection to the course Oest was on now. Voelz said he hadn’t heard Smith speak as highly of anyone as he does Oest.
Rigdon said Oest’s success story is not there yet as he hasn’t completed all of his chapters yet, but Oest has been very successful so far.
Oest told Cates, “I cannot argue I’ve been involved in this court since I was 14. I did not make good choices. One thing has changed, and that’s my sobriety.”
He said he’s made a conscious choice to be sober and that has made all the difference.
As a young man, he said he didn’t know any other way, but he couldn’t minimize his decisions. “I made poor decisions and I used drugs and alcohol to cope. It took me 30 years to get here and I’m here today,” Oest said.
Not only has he made strides, but he said he now is involved in his son’s life. “I’m proud to say I get to see him every week,” he said.
He’s also paid off his fines and got his driver’s license back.
He works with veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I can’t mention sobriety enough because it is the hinge to what has changed my life,”?Oest said.
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Kosciusko County Superior Court I Judge David Cates told Philip Matthew Oest he had no problem with him serving his time in Community Corrections as long as he remained qualified for it. His sentence will be served consecutively to a prior conviction.
As part of the plea agreement, charges of auto theft and theft were dismissed.
Cates also told Oest that he was not to have any drugs or alcohol and must continue residing at Serenity House until he completed that program. Oest also must pay $6,655 in restitution to his victim and not have any contact with his victim. Oest also must pay court costs and fees.
“You’ve made some good choices. Keep it up,” Cates said.
Oest said he’s been sober for eight months.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed Sept. 21, Oest stole a Chevrolet Avalanche, television, DVD and other items from his victim’s residence on Aug. 20, 2017, while the victim was incarcerated. The vehicle was found Sept. 10 in a wooded area. A woman told the investigating officer that Oest asked her if she wanted any televisions and that he was attempting to sell one for someone who was in jail.
At Oest’s sentencing Thursday, his defense attorney, Jay Rigdon, told Cates that Oest was employed and still resided at the Serenity House.
Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz said Oest has been a thief for the last 18 years but he signed off on Oest going to Serenity House to try a different approach with him. Since then, Voelz has heard nothing but positive reports from Director Hoss Smith about Oest, and “I congratulate him on that and his work,” he said.
He wondered if Oest was doing well because he had the sentencing hanging over his head or if he had finally gotten past his drug addiction. While he had “no idea,” he said he had no objection to the course Oest was on now. Voelz said he hadn’t heard Smith speak as highly of anyone as he does Oest.
Rigdon said Oest’s success story is not there yet as he hasn’t completed all of his chapters yet, but Oest has been very successful so far.
Oest told Cates, “I cannot argue I’ve been involved in this court since I was 14. I did not make good choices. One thing has changed, and that’s my sobriety.”
He said he’s made a conscious choice to be sober and that has made all the difference.
As a young man, he said he didn’t know any other way, but he couldn’t minimize his decisions. “I made poor decisions and I used drugs and alcohol to cope. It took me 30 years to get here and I’m here today,” Oest said.
Not only has he made strides, but he said he now is involved in his son’s life. “I’m proud to say I get to see him every week,” he said.
He’s also paid off his fines and got his driver’s license back.
He works with veterans who have post-traumatic stress disorder.
“I can’t mention sobriety enough because it is the hinge to what has changed my life,”?Oest said.
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