A St. Mary’s County man who admits to a long-term “alcohol problem” has been sentenced to five years in jail. James Goldring, 54, was sentenced Friday in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court by Judge Michael Stamm. Goldring has addresses listed in court records of both Chaptico and Lexington Park.
Goldring pled guilty on October 18th to Possession of a Rifle/Shotgun with a Felony Conviction and Possession of an Unregistered Rifle/Shotgun. He was sentenced to five years in jail for each conviction but the judge made the sentences to run concurrently.
Goldring’s attorney, public defender Kevin Hill noted that “every single criminal infraction dealt with alcohol and making poor decisions.” He noted that one of the charges involved getting drunk and shooting a shotgun shells into the air. No one was hurt in the incidence.
Hill observed that Goldring had never had any alcohol or mental health counseling. “I remain eternally optimistic that anyone can change,” he said.
The judge in sentencing Goldring noted his actions of shooting into the air were reckless. He authorized that he be incarcerated at Patuxent Institute where he could receive counseling, He gave Goldring credit for the 342 days he has spent in jail since his arrest.
