William Russell Hobbs
Leonardtown, MD — A Hollywood man has been sentenced to four years in jail for distribution of heroin. William Hobbs, 26, pled guilty to the charge on October 31 and was sentenced Monday in St. Mary’s County Circuit Court by Judge Michael Stamm.
Hobbs was arrested in April of this year after a several month investigation by the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office. As the result of a raid at Hobbs’ home on Ruff Ruff Lane in Hollywood, four children in the home were placed under Child Protective Services because of the poor condition in which they were found. Karen Dale, 28, was also arrested.
Seized at the time of the raid were heroin, syringes, marijuana, a digital scale with heroin residue and cocaine.
“He is clearly an addict,” said attorney Shawm Hrotic of his client. But Hrotic said that Hobbs wasn’t making any profit off the sale of the drugs. “Without the addiction there wouldn’t be any crime,” the attorney said.
Both Hobbs mother and brother testified that he was trying to get himself together after admitting his addiction. “He has a good heart and he is a hard worker. He loves his children and his children love him,” Eleanor Hobbs said.
William Hobbs, Jr. said of his brother: “I really believe since all of this he will be a better person.”
“I apologize for everything I have done and to my family,” Hobbs told the judge.
Judge Stamm noted that Hobbs tested positive for substance abuse while in treatment at Walden. He said Hobbs’ troubles are “all because of substance abuse. You are a heroin addict.” He added, “You can’t escape your history.”
The state guidelines for the crime are four to eight years. Judge Stamm sentenced Hobbs to the maximum eight years, but suspended four years. He was given credit for the 164 days he has served awaiting sentencing.
The judge authorized addiction counseling while incarcerated and suggested that Hobbs get his GED high school diploma during his time in jail. Hobbs only finished the 9th grade.
Hobbs will be on five year’s supervised probation after being released from jail.