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Woman given another chance at rehab
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Katie Grist is getting her chance.
Another chance.
The 28-year-old woman with a criminal record dating back to 2004 because of her heroin addiction complained in a recent Vindicator story that she was not given adequate opportunities at rehabilitation even though she was ordered to complete drug counseling at least six times as part of various sentences.
On Tuesday, she was allowed to attend the facility of her choice after two court hearings in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Before Judge Shirley J. Christian, Grist entered guilty pleas to eight fifth-degree felony counts of possession of heroin and was given two years’ probation with the stipulation that if she violates the terms of her probation, she will go to prison for the remainder of her term. She also must complete drug counseling and report to an Akron-based rehab facility she wants to enter within 72 hours of her release from the county jail Oct. 10.
She is serving a sentence from county court in Boardman on a theft charge.
Typically, fifth-degree felonies carry a sentence of probation and no more than one year in prison.
After her court date with Judge Christian, she appeared befpre Judge Lou D’Apolito, who agreed to rescind a hold on Grist for a probation violation for a 2012 burglary case so she can be released and go to rehabilitation.
Grist was arrested in July with more than 30 other people as part of a sweep of heroin traffickers and users. That is the case that brought her before Judge Christian Tuesday.
She asked to meet with a Vindicator reporter while she was in the county jail to tell her side after she was featured in a story that focused on repeat drug offenders.
She also wrote letters to the court. Judge D’Apolito told her that though he doesn’t think she’s a bad person, he also has a duty to protect citizens from her actions to obtain more heroin,
“Your addiction affects the community,” Judge D’Apolito said.
In the case before Judge Christian, Grist admitted purchasing heroin almost daily in March of this year through either phone calls or text messages. Her attorney, Michael Kivlighan, told both judges she has been sober for several months, getting treatment on her own and has a job waiting for her when she is finished with her treatment because her employer held her job for her.
Grist wants to go IBH Addiction Recovery Center in Akron. Wiping away tears, she told Judge D’Apolito she learned of IBH through a fellow inmate during one of her prison sentences, and the inmate has stayed sober since going there.
She said she has insurance and that IBH also has space for indigents.
Judge D’Apolito said he researched the facility and said it has a very high success rate.
But Judge D’Apolito also said he took exception to Grist saying she feels she has never been given a chance at treatment. Court records show Grist has been ordered six times to complete treatment at Community Corrections Association and has never completed the program. The judge said it her responsibility she could not get through CCA.
“What I consider a chance and you consider a chance are two separate things,” Judge D’Apolito said.
“I, too, am not ready to give up on you, although I never have. No one has,” Judge D’Apolito said.
Judge Christian said she was concerned that Grist would not go to the facility to get her assessment if she is released from jail. She gave Grist 72 hours from the time she is released on Oct. 10 to get the assessment at IBH or be in violation of her probation, which most likely will mean prison, Judge Christian said.
“The responsibility now goes to you to make sure you get there,” Judge Christian said. “You’ve already started. Keep it going.”
Another member of the ring who was arrested, Albert Santiago, 30, of West Middletown Road in Columbiana, also pleaded guilty to three fifth-degree felony counts of possession of heroin before Judge Christian. A sentence of one year in prison is being recommended by prosecutors. A sentencing date has yet to be set.
A week after assessment at IBH Grist will have a status hearing before Judge D’Apolito. She will also be given a drug test, Judge D’Apolito said.