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Show Drug treatment an optionto jail By AMY JO! BRYSON Standard-Examinerstaff An experimental program designed to give first-time drug offenders intensive treatment instead of jail terms is being tested in Davis and Webercounties, and if successful will be adopted statewide. The pre-trial diversion program, which started this month in Weber County and will begin June 1 in Davis County, gives suspectsan alternative to jail time and a criminal record. Weber County Attorney Reed Richards said the program is available only to eligible people arrested for the first time on drug possession charges or fraudulent use of a prescription. The pilot program is the result of a recommendation madeat statewide drug summit last fall attended by county prosecutors, judges, probation officers and law enforcement officials, Richards said. Weber County has received McGuire said some Davis County defendants, depending on the circumstances, will be offered the diversion prior to arraignment. If the defendant successfully completes an intensive treatment program administered by the counties’ drug and alcohol departments, prosecution will not be pursued. “The statistics with Davis County Mental Health indicate 85 percent of those who stay through a yearlong program will get rid of the drug use problem and not return,” McGuire said. $22,000 in federal grant monies from the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to operate the program during its first year. In Davis County, program director and deputy county attorney Bill McGuire said approximately $25,000 in fundingis anticipated to run the program. Added Richards, “There’s a big incentive to get some treatment and help so you don’t have a felony cocaine conviction on your record.” Although treatment is a routine Richards said eligible criminal defendants can choose to enter the program at the time of court arraignment, and prosecution of-the case will be diverted. Victim recounts nightmare part of sentencing on drug-related offenses, Richards said it usuallyis limited to 90 days, and its timing often compromises its effectiveness. “There’s no motivation. !t’s part of the sentencing. They’ve already got it on their record and theyjust want to get it behind them so they can get off probation.” Dave Wilson, the Weber County prosecutor administrating the program, said the diversion is intended to stem drug abuse in the early stages by emphasizing treatment over incarceration. “We're looking at working people who don’t want somethinglike that on their record. Here’s an opportunity for them to confront the problem and maybe conquer it.” NEWS Defendants are screened for eligibility and undergo a 30-day evaluation to determine the type and magnitude of dependency. If accepted into the diversion program, the defendant signs an agreement that is forwarded to the county attorney’s office for signature and then approved bythe judge. Although criminal proceedings will be postponed during the duration of treatment, suspects will end up back in jail and court should they violate any of the program’s requirements. Kevin Koopmans, program administrator with the Weber County Department of Substance Abuse, said defendants will be closely suSee OFFENDERS on 2C Gin, 11, recovering after being raped EDITOR’S NOTE: Names ofthe victim and her parents are not used in this story because of the nature Standard-Examiner staff You name the achievements Northern Utah students are 16C racking them up. AT A GLANCE Tow fall hurts skateboarder POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN — Life without parole is a possibility for a man who ieft an Ogden halfway house 10 years ago and went on a crime spreethat left a young woman paralyzed. Kenneth Glen Roberts, 42. is serving five consecutive five-years-to-life terms for the 1982 gunshot wounding of the 18-year-old Sandy woman At a state Board of Pardons hearing Friday, board members said Roberts’ record since he's been in prison makes him a candidate to stay behind bars for life. The,board heard from prisc guard Joe Hughes, who was taken hostage by Roberts twc years ago. “He should never get out of prison,” Hughes said. “He should spend all his days here and | wish him a long and healthy life.” ANNE RAUP/Standard-Examiner Clown Penelope (Kathi Mayfield of Kaysville) laughs as another satisfied customer leaves with a fanciful balloon animal. She uSually hires out for parties but for Saturday’s Kaysville FunFest she clowned for free. Skyline Drive plan likely to be narrowed e pattie oa oD Commissioners may side with developer + Standard-Examiner staff ° Ogden City Weber State University = 3. B Skyline Drive ad. Co 4 of OgdenCity ‘, Harrison Blvd *, Quail Ridge ® Subdivision Proposed Skyline Drive extension su AID } OGDEN — The Weber County Commission is leaning toward reducing the width of Skyline Drive to 66 feet, as the countygears up to debate the fate of the controversial Southeast Bench road. Countyofficials are facing the same dilemma that forced Ogden to deal with the proposed street in March. A developer of a subdivision at 5750 S. Skyline Drive is petitioning the county planning commission to make the portion of road running through his development narrower than the 80-foot-wide requirement. Because Skyline Drive is being built piecemeal as subdivisions are laid, the width of that segment will affect the size of the entire road. In addition, because the proposed road may one day connect U.S. 89 and 36th Street, the county’s action will affect Ogden and South Ogden’s development plans “The planning commission is in an awkward spot of deciding whether to approve or disapprove it, which automatically brings up the question of the width of Skyline Drive,” said Graham Shirra, county planning director. The planning commission will {| Under | jurisdiction oO, mT Valley Dr. i Proposed subdivision Sic 5 at 5750 S. Skyline Drive — under Weber County jurisdiction worker born a stolen car Their trailer was used as a make- benefit in similar situations shift ambulance to take Hobbs to not to be afraid to get involved,” he said in a phone interview Satur- Snowville to be picked up by an “I'd like to get it across to people emergency medical helicopter Jeppsen drove the pickup while his wife and others tried to keep Hobbs alive in the trailer Now, almost a year later, the “It's easy to pass by and hope someoneelse will stop and take care of it.” Jeppsens, lice officers are both 54, are making plans to go to Burley, Idaho, next weekend to participate in the taping of a “Rescue 911” television reenactment of the trooper shooting drama that happened near th Utah-Idaho border Gerald Jeppsen, a Thiokol Corp planning engineer in Strategic 1991, when they happened upon Operations, said he learned several lessons from the near-tragedy and hopes the TV reenactment will highlight them so other people will poorcopy WHO’s NEWS WSU professor wins ‘Hinckley’ OGDEN — Richard M By LOR! BONA HUNT 36th St said they were in the right placeat the night time the night of June 15. the scene where Idaho State Police Trooper Steve Hobbs had been shot when he stopped the driver of Top performers ee bs staying awhile consider the request and the coad’s width during its Tuesday 4:30 p.m. meeting. But regardless of any planning commission action, county commissioners already appear to be favoring reducing the road. “I think the commission is going to rule for a 66-foot right of way,” said Commissioner Randall Williford. Williford said he has spoken with engineers from the Wasatch Front Regional Council and is convinced 66 feet is an adequate width to handle potential traffic. “I really doubt we will change our minds. I can’t imagine any- thing that would,” he said, adding that commissioners Joan Hellstrom and Spencer Stokes also lean toward a reduction. The proposed road, which runs through the affluent southeast Ogden area, became a hot topicin March when Ogden’s planning commission and city council considered an identical request from a subdivision developer. Residents packed the city council chambers for weeks to voice opposition to making the road 80-feet wide, saying it would evolve into a highway and reduce property valSee SKYLINE on 2C its a more than guys who sit around waiting to give people speeding tickets, Jeppsen said “It's made me realize a lot more what our law enforcement people 10 for us and how dangerous the yb is. I guess al! the while before| thought it was like they werejust going up and down the road looking for speeders. ’'ve come to respect them a lot more for the job they do for Sull, us.” Jeppsen, a 33-year Thiokol said ling national attention “for not d In the reenactment, he said, “As far as I know I'm just going to b pulling my trailer. I hate to see a bunch of recognition for beingat the right place at the right time. | helped them that way and I was glad to be there, but I didn’t d like wife those to my Sa VC Jaca and others did Jepps n remembers 1 she and her husband were returnng m Jerome, Idaho, where their son had plaved in an American legion baseball game, when they came upon the tr dent and began helping n the « ersby alread per in said It wasn’t a time to be thinking about the thereof, relative safety way inside atrailer, lack said Jacqu Jeppsen who works County Hospital were so concerned witt 1 the r of hurt! ng down the free- I don’t remember his ‘ workings with him trying to keep himali while my husband was racing dow the road to Snowville.” she trooper at On it because at Weber State University, has received. the Ca university s | 1992 John S. , Hinckley Fel- | low Award for exemplary teaching, outstandina scholarship | and extraordi- nary service Alston « wit she hoping we would get there to get him help.” The upcoming tnp to Burley also likely back to the site of tt ot! See TROOPER on 2C was chosen by a Alston committee of campus and community representatives for the annual award. The Hinckley award gives Alston the optior of receiving a $4,000 cash prize, an equal amount unrestricted support for academic projects one-quarter release fr teaching res Alston is cha economics Gepartment The Hinckley award presented annually in honor the late Jc hn S Hir Ogden businessman and civ leader Student orator collects $2,500 wir ‘ senior at | “I was in thetrailer working with him and there were the two EMT fellows that pulled him out of the ar and one other girl, ing much.” day from his Malad, Idaho, home. Another impression was that po- in Brigham City, ncomfortable to be get Alston, professor of economic LAYTON Trooper Samaritans prepare for ‘Rescue 911’ re-enactment Jeppsen and his wife, Jacque Two Weber High Schoo! seniors win statewide recognition for saving life. 6C Violent inmate Instead, she’s sitting in a stark, antiseptic interview room at the Riverdale Police Station, where she and her parents have agreed to talk about the crime and its impact. The kidnapping ordeal lasted approximately two hours. Her abductor, described as cool and confident, drove the child a short distance, sexually assaulted her and then returned her to the apartment. For the girl and her parents, the immediate nightmare was over, but the harsh consequences of the crime were just beginning. There was the extensive medical examination at the hospital she said she didn’t like atall. Then there were the interviews with police, with questions — and more questions — about an event she said she just wants to forget. And now comes the counseling: weekly sessions to make sure she can emotionally heal, get on with her life, not fear men. “I don’t want her to go through life afraid, to be always looking over her shoulder,” her mother said. “That’s not a good waytolive. I want her to be able to go on a date when she’s 16 or 17 without wortying, to be able to go out with her See VICTIM on 2C Gerald Jeppsen figured he didn’t have to worry too much about getting a speeding ticket for driving his pickup and fifth-wheel campertrailer 80 mph on Interstate 84. After all, he was helping save a man’s life — a state trooper’s life even “I told the cop down there I wouldn't ever tell them how fast I was going, but I looked down once and I was going close to 80,” Jeppsen said Rescue success Saturday night. giggle with her frends. Standard-Examiner staff Federa! tax clerk and his parents are charged in alleged money-laundering scheme. 2C summonedfrom Salt Lake City to transport Sullivan to St Benedict's Hospita!, where he was undergoing treatment By AMY JOI BRYSON By MARK SHENEFELT Drugs and taxes Life Flight helicopter was of the crime. RIVERDALE — The little girl with the long, wavy hair is a Whitney Houston fan who cherishes her collection of teddy bears and loves spinach. She’s also the little girl who was awakened the night of May 5 by a stranger who cupped his hands over her eyes and threatened to hurt her if she struggled. Then he put a knife against her throat. The 11-year-old, her mouth and eyes covered with duct tape, was abducted from her Riverdale apartment where her parents slept unaware, and then was raped and sodomized. “I kept hoping it would be over,” she said in an interview Thursday. “That’s all I kept thinking.” She fidgets now, nervously reaching into a bag of popcorn. At other tumes, she fiddles with her fingers, looks down and tries tq find the right words. “I thought of my parents. I didn’t want anything to happen to them. If something happens to those guys, what am I supposed to do?” The victim looks like the little girl that she is. Her golden brown hair fans across the pink blouse she’s wearing. Her blouse, plus the ruffled denim skirt and white lace tights, suggests she ought to be headed to a movie or concert to laugh and BEAT HOOPER — A 15-year-old Hooper youth suffered a severe head injury Saturday night after he fell off his skateboard as he was towed by a van, authorities said Keith Sullivan, 15, fel! backward off the skateboard about 8 p.m. as he was hooking a ride on a van driven by a 17-year-old friend about 20 mph, said Weber Sheriff's Sgt. Art Haney It is illegal to ride or allow a rider “on an unauthorized portion of a vehicle,” Haney said. Inflated fun On J Rese LOCAL STANDARD-EXAMINER SUNDAY, MAY 24, 1992 CITY EDITOR: 625-4220 ‘ oa ’ : |