Farmington man chooses prison sentence

FARMINGTON — A Farmington man chose a prison sentence over a 120-day drug treatment program.

Steven A. Harbour’s Public Defender Samuel Moore asked Circuit Court Judge Sandy Martinez to place Harbour on five years of supervised probation while Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Joe Lanter asked for a six-year sentence on the two forgery charges.

Probation and Parole, which had prepared a sentencing assessment report for the case, recommended against straight probation but was for probation following a 120-day drug treatment program.

The judge told 23-year-old Harbour she would consider the program for him, but Harbour indicated he’d rather have a straight prison sentence.

Moore said Harbour has been in jail for about six months. The court officials all agreed he likely wouldn’t have to serve much more time on a six-year prison sentence.

Given how much time Harbour had already served and the court costs he would incur, the man would rather do straight time, Moore said.

Moore asked the judge to consider a three or four year sentence since it was Harbour’s first felony offense. He said prison would not be a good place for Harbour.

Lanter said the crimes were more than just forgeries. He said one man nearly lost his house and has had numerous financial problems since Harbour opened a credit card account in that man’s name. He said Harbour also landed into trouble for forging prescriptions for narcotics.

He said none of Harbour’s problems excuse his criminal behavior. He said Harbour went on a crime spree committing many crimes while on misdemeanor probation.

Harbour read a letter, apologizing to his victims. He said he is remorseful and has learned a valuable lesson. He said no matter what happened at sentencing, he would walk away a changed man.

The judge sentenced him to six years in prison.

In other cases, Michael Poole, 24, of Desloge, was sentenced to seven years in prison for violating the probation he received for second-degree burglary.

According to court records, he broke into the PATH Center in Farmington in October of 2004.

Shane Miler was sentenced to 14 years in prison for violating the probation he received for attempted manufacture of meth and possession of meth.

Roger Chilton, 39, of Farmington, was sentenced to eight years in prison for two counts of child molestation.

According to court records, he subjected a child less than 14 years old to sexual contact in 2005 and 2006.

Robert Walter Reed, 46, of Farmington, was sentenced to five years in prison for two counts of driving while intoxicated.

Alquino J. Porter, 22, a Farmington Correctional Center inmate, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for committing violence against a Department of Corrections employee.

Mark Wampler, 52, of Park Hills, was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of a chemical with intent to make meth.

Teresa Ressel is a reporter for the Daily Journal and can be reached at 573-431-2010, ext. 179 or at tressel@dailyjournalonline.com.