La Plata, MD – It’s never a good thing when a Charles County Circuit Court judge expresses surprise that a defendant wanders into the courtroom with several arrest warrants waiting for them.

That’s how Eugene Abebe Jackson’s day started Monday, Oct. 19, and the 35-year-old Waldorf resident’s week didn’t get any better until the following Monday, Oct. 26, when Charles County Circuit Court Judge Helen I. Harrington—who put him in jail last week—released him to confront charges awaiting him in Prince George’s County and Washington, DC.

“I didn’t expect to see you walk in here given the number of warrants you had,” Harrington said Oct. 19.

“He has warrants and court business beyond this case,” Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Jonathan Beattie agreed.

Jackson said the matter in DC was a traffic citation.

Harrington ordered him held on a violation of probation from a second-degree assault case in 2012. Jackson was on five years of supervised probation but faced 10 years backup time.

Jackson was back in court Oct. 26, this time in Charles County Detention Center garb, for sentencing.

“He admitted to violating conditions of his probation back in May of 2014,” Beattie told the court. “This sentencing has been continued and continued. Enough is enough. The state is ready to proceed.”

“That the court’s position as well,” Harrington said.

Charles County Public Defender Michael Beach, undaunted, asked for yet another continuance.

“I’m not going to do that,” Harrington replied. “If he is doing to court in DC and has problems in Prince George’s, what guarantee do I have he will be back in here on any other date? None. I want to proceed with sentencing. Are you ready?”

Beach said Jackson picked up the warrant in Washington “because he was being held here.”

“One of the allegations of failing to report has nothing to do with the new charges here today,” Harrington responded.

Beattie told Harrington the state was looking for some backup time in the case.

“He’s had issues with failing to report,” Beattie noted. “Sentencing procedures have been held out so long he’s also managed to pick up new charges [including theft under $1,000 in Prince George’s] in the interim. He never has completed community service.”

Jackson’s wife Shannon told the court, “He’s not a bad guy. His heart is in the right place. He’s kind and thoughtful to the kids.”

She said Jackson has a heart condition and high blood pressure.

“It doesn’t explain it all, but he wasn’t able to get into the CAP program because of his health issues,” Beach noted.

“I know it’s a big mess,” Jackson explained. “I have people who depend on me, my grandmother and my sons. I just want to fix things. I’m sorry to put everyone through such trouble.”

“There are a couple of things going on here,” Harrington said. “One of them is you’re not compliant with probation and the other is you keep picking up new charges. I don’t see any reason to keep you on probation. So let’s clear the deck. I’m sentencing you to 10 days and giving you 10 days credit for time served. This case is done. Good luck with your other issues.”

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com