Published: May 12, 2008 10:10 pm         

Fayette woman’s probation revoked

A Fayette County woman was ordered to Southern Regional Jail Monday morning after Raleigh County Circuit Court Judge John Hutchison revoked her probation because of a failed drug screen.

On April 30, Hutchison sentenced Naomi Lucas, 30, of Oak Hill, to suspended sentences of one to 10 years for forgery and six months for second-degree shoplifting. She was ordered to serve five years’ probation and participate in Fayette County Day Report.

At the time of her sentencing, Lucas, who has a history of cocaine use, submitted two urine samples, which Hutchison said were very diluted.

Lucas told the judge she had not used cocaine and said her samples were diluted because she drank water all day. Two days later, however, Lucas tested positive for cocaine at the day report center.

C. Michael Griffith, Lucas’ attorney, told Hutchison his client admitted to using drugs the night before she was sentenced because of a “fear of being sent to prison.” He also said she diluted her urine sample.

Charles Bryant, with the day report center, told Hutchison Lucas had “done well” in the programs required but said she had had three dirty drug screens in three months.

“Her problem is she can’t leave cocaine alone,” he said.

Bryant said Lucas had missed some days because of health issues with one of her children. Each time she returned to the center, he said, she tested positive for drugs.

Hutchison said he believed Lucas was “using that child as a shield and as a procurement opportunity.”

Although Hutchison ordered Lucas to jail, he did not decide whether he would reimpose the underlying sentence, or, as Bryant and Griffith suggested, sentence her to 30 days in jail and order her to return to day report.

“I’m not going to make a decision while I’m as angry as I am,” Hutchison said, adding he would make a decision later this week.

— E-mail: mjames@register-herald.com