AUBURN - A local man who said he left New York to get away from drugs was sentenced in Cayuga County Court Tuesday to 3.5 years in prison after he voluntarily returned to Auburn to face charges for selling cocaine in 2006.
Darris Hayes, 24, formerly of 44 Wallace Ave., apartment 2, Auburn, said he moved to Florida in order to change his life after selling drugs in Auburn. While in Florida, Hayes said he began to mentor children on the dangers of drug abuse and later discovered that a warrant had been issued for his arrest in Auburn.
Simon Moody, Hayes' attorney, said that instead of running, his client voluntarily returned to Cayuga County to face the charges.
"I am here to pay my respects back to the community for the things I have done," Hayes said. "I admit what I've done and I am here to take responsibility."
In exchange for the guilty plea to felony criminal sale of a controlled substance that he entered on Oct. 14, Hayes will also receive a shock camp recommendation and 1.5 years of post release supervision. If Hayes completes shock camp, he will be eligible for an early release.
Hayes also admitted he was a second felony offender who was convicted for the sale of a controlled substance in 2004.
Due to the severity of Hayes recent drug conviction, Moody said he was worried his client would not be allowed to enter the program despite a recommendation from Cayuga County Judge Mark Fandrich.
Fandrich said that if Hayes was not allowed to enter the program, he would entertain a motion to vacate the plea deal and allow Hayes to plead guilty to a lesser drug offense in order to get into shock camp.
Simon Moody, Hayes' attorney, said that instead of running, his client voluntarily returned to Cayuga County to face the charges.
"I am here to pay my respects back to the community for the things I have done," Hayes said. "I admit what I've done and I am here to take responsibility."
In exchange for the guilty plea to felony criminal sale of a controlled substance that he entered on Oct. 14, Hayes will also receive a shock camp recommendation and 1.5 years of post release supervision. If Hayes completes shock camp, he will be eligible for an early release.
Hayes also admitted he was a second felony offender who was convicted for the sale of a controlled substance in 2004.
Due to the severity of Hayes recent drug conviction, Moody said he was worried his client would not be allowed to enter the program despite a recommendation from Cayuga County Judge Mark Fandrich.
Fandrich said that if Hayes was not allowed to enter the program, he would entertain a motion to vacate the plea deal and allow Hayes to plead guilty to a lesser drug offense in order to get into shock camp.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are 5 comment(s)
former resident of auburn wrote on Dec 17, 2008 8:16 AM:
With all the rich and powerful people in this world who KNOW they have done wrong and won't face up to it or will have every excuse in the book and the right amount of money to walk away, it is refreshing to note a person CAN 'face the music'.
Isn't it better to give this man another chance than to just give up on him and think that he's just like everyone else? He's NOT like everyone else--he is being a responsible man--I wish MORE men and women would take responsibility like Mr. Hayes has done! "
shoemaker187 wrote on Dec 16, 2008 9:02 PM:
movedin2006 wrote on Dec 16, 2008 7:34 PM:
brotherhenry wrote on Dec 16, 2008 5:59 PM:
former resident of auburn wrote on Dec 16, 2008 3:32 PM:
I send him Best Wishes for a good, clean and successful life after he serves his sentence. "