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WARREN -- A judge told a Dunstan Drive NW man he was giving him a break by sending him to an alternative community program instead of prison for a host of drug convictions.
Gary Provitt, 32, appeared before Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Ronald J. Rice last week after being convicted of charges of attempted possession of a fentanyl-related compound, possession of cocaine, attempted possession of hashish and possession of marijuana.
Rice told the defendant he was giving him a break by sentencing him to five years of intensive supervision probation that will begin with a stint at the Northeast Ohio Community Alternative Program, a rehab that teaches life skills.
Rice said he was moved by the pleas against prison given by Provitt's attorneys, Clarissa Smith and James Willis. Smith said her client has had time to reflect on his bad decisions and life experience and is intensely disappointed in himself. She said Provitt is planning to open up his own business.
She also said because of Provitt's recent leg injuries, he would be a COVID-19 risk in prison.
Before sentencing, Provitt said he had no excuse for his drug case.
"I'm ashamed," he said.
The charges stemmed from a June 24 investigation conducted by the Warren Police Street Crimes Unit.