Contributed Photo/Courtesy GCSO: Toni Marie Richart, 32, was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison after violating her probation and being caught using heroin in jail.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – Graham County Superior Court Judge Michael D. Peterson sentenced Toni Mari Richart, 32, to 3.5 years in prison on Tuesday, after she pleaded guilty to violating her probation and to using heroin while in the Graham County Adult Detention Facility.
Richart was initially charged Nov. 5, 2015, with possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of a dangerous drug, possession of a narcotic drug, misconduct involving weapons, and two counts of possession of a dangerous drug.
On Feb. 2, 2016, she entered into a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to attempted possession of a dangerous drug for sale and possession of drug paraphernalia in lieu of having the other charges dropped. She was then given a term of incarceration and placed on probation upon her release Aug. 1, 2017.
After initially having a petition to revoke her probation filed Feb. 25, 2019, a second petition to revoke her probation was filed May 6, 2019.
While incarcerated in the jail, Richart was caught using heroin and was charged with promoting prison contraband and use of a narcotic drug.
On Tuesday, Richart pleaded guilty to her probation violation and to the new charges against her. During her sentencing, she thanked the judge for his past leniency.
“I appreciate the chances that you’ve given me and I apologize for my mishap inside the jail,” Richart said.
“I can’t go to rehab for you,” Judge Peterson said. “I can’t make you stop using . . . The concern I have for you as well as everyone is that you’re given chances and then it doesn’t work out and I get worried that people lose hope. Please do not lose hope. When you get back, you can change.”
Richart was then sentenced to 3.5 years in prison for her probation violation to be followed up with a 3-year probation term for promoting prison contraband and using heroin while in jail. She was also given an additional mandatory $2,000 fine (as well as additional fees) for use of a narcotic drug on top of $2,180 she still owes from her initial case.
