NORWICH – A mother convicted of selling heroin outside her home was sentenced on Dec. 6 in Chenango County Court.
Jennah I. Shreve, 21, Sherburne, was charged with the class D felony of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree. She changed her plea of not guilty to guilty and was represented by John Cameron, public defender.
Shreve testified to knowingly and unlawfully possessing a controlled substance with the intent of selling it. She possessed heroin and was selling it out of 5A Knapp St., her residence in Sherburne.
She was arrested in April and released on bail paid by her mother.
“Judge, this is a young woman who unfortunately got involved with the use and sale of narcotic drugs. There is nothing worse she could have done to the community members of Sherburne than giving them heroin. It’s a terrible drug and very addictive,” said District Attorney Joseph McBride.
“There are consequences for selling drugs, and I hope she is never seen before this or any other court. If she violates her probation and gets back in the business of selling drugs, she will be taken out of the community, away from her mother and daughter.”
When McBride asked Shreve if she had drugs in her house and if she had been selling them for about three months, Shreve admitted that she had.
When Revoir asked Shreve if she would like to make a statement on her behalf, she could not reply for several seconds because she was crying.
“Just that I am really sorry for what I did. I just want that to be understood. I appreciate the chance to change my life and improve the situation for my daughter,” said Shreve.
Said Revoir, “I concur with Mr. McBride’s statements. The victims in these types of situations tend to be yourself, your family and your children. The list of potential victims just grows exponentially after that. It’s this vicious cycle.”
Shreve received 90 days of incarceration in the Chenango County Correctional Facility and five years probation, less time spent incarcerated. The conditions of her probation will include drug and alcohol treatment. Shreve is already in drug and alcohol treatment through Chenango County Mental Health, which she started in April after her arrest.
The $270 that was seized from her at the time of her arrest was found to be related to the sale of heroin and will not be returned to her.
“I have the trust and faith that probation and even the time you will spend being incarcerated will be good for you. You must understand that you cannot sell drugs. It is illegal and destroys communities. It doesn’t give me pleasure to send you to jail and take you away from your child and separate you from your mother. That is why it is important that you remain far away from this kind of behavior in the future,” said Revoir.
“Judge, we would request that her jail term begin after the holidays, so that she can spend the time with her family. Obviously, she would be on probation during that time. She is also currently employed,” said Cameron.
McBride commented and said, “Judge, I have no objections to that, and I think employment is an important part of her rehabilitation. She must remember that if she violates probation, she could receive the maximum sentence, which is two and a half years in prison and one year of post-release supervision.”
Revoir agreed to allow the defendant time with her family for the holidays and to work. He said she is to turn herself in to the jail on Jan. 23, 2014.
“Good luck, Ms. Shreve. Good luck to you and your family,” said Revoir.