At a sentencing hearing on Thursday, Jan. 9, John Finocchiaro of Cortez apologized to the court, law enforcement and the victims. He claimed his drug use led to his downward spiral and criminal activity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Finocchiaro said. \u201cI\u2019m at your mercy, your honor.\u201d<\/p>\n
Facing a maximum three-year sentence, Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker did grant some leniency, imposing an 18-month prison term for Finocchiaro. Walker said the defendant\u2019s drug problem; however, was not the court\u2019s problem.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of your drug problem, you\u2019re more dangerous than a normal person,\u201d Walker told Finocchiaro. \u201cPeople like you endanger my freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finocchiaro has at least three previous felony firearms related convictions, dating back to 2002 for assault with a deadly weapon. He was last convicted in 2012 for felony menacing for use of force with a deadly weapon.<\/p>\n
District Attorney Will Furse argued for a two-year prison term, citing the defendant was unable to follow the rules of law.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo years in a cage is probably enough, but I\u2019m not sure,\u201d Furse said.<\/p>\n
Public defender Justin Bogan said his client had an unhealthy fascination of firearms, but added that no one was injured in the current case.<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Finocchiaro thinks he looks cool with firearms,\u201d Bogan said, \u201cbut he\u2019s not a sociopath. He just needs to grow up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Addressing the court via telephone, Finocchiaro\u2019s mother said she was very disappointed in her son\u2019s behavior. She too blamed her son\u2019s drug addiction.<\/p>\n
\u201cJohn is an addict with problems,\u201d she said. \u201cHe\u2019s loving and compassionate when he\u2019s sober.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finocchiaro, also known as Fetus, was released from prison in August 2013 on the felony menacing conviction. He was arrested a month later for violating his parole, and pleaded guilty in December to possessing a small silver handgun inside a home with children.<\/p>\n
The seized weapon will be forfeited.<\/p>\n
Other court news<\/p>\n
In other court news, proceedings were continued until Feb. 4 for former Montezuma County Undersheriff Robin Cronk. He was scheduled for a hearing on Friday, Jan. 10.<\/p>\n
The former lawman faces a 17-count indictment for embezzlement, allegedly pilfering nearly $7,500 from taxpayers for personal expenses over a 26-month time span.<\/p>\n
Also, arraignment hearings for suspected burglars Tara L. Montgomery, 31, and Mark D. Williams, 41, were rescheduled until Feb. 6, and Feb. 18, respectively. Both suspects appeared in court on Thursday, Jan. 9, on felony charges for theft and second-degree burglary. The case involves six co-defendants, Furse said.<\/p>\n
Finally, convicted sex offender Andrew Allmon, 54, also had his arraignment rescheduled for Feb. 6. In custody under a $30,000 bond, Allmon appeared in court on Thursday, Jan. 9. He faces nine felony charges of sexual assault on a child. A plea deal is expected, according to a public defender.<\/p>\n