A 24-year-old Audubon County man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison this week after his third strike violation. Zackary Scott was caught “running” methamphetamine and marijuana throughout Audubon County in August of last year. At that time, the courts suspended a 15-year sentence and placed him on probation. He was to seek treatment for his addiction, but also warned that if he did not comply with the terms of his probation, the original sentence would be imposed. The very next day, Scott was arrested in another county for possession of marijuana. A review of two other felony convictions in other counties and a recommendation from Audubon County Attorney, Sara Jennings, and the Department of Probation resulted in a call for a revocation of Scott’s probation. Judge Craig Dreismeier imposed the original sentence of 10 years on a class C felony possession and intent to deliver methamphetamine charge and five years on a class D felony for possession and intent to deliver marijuana, with the stipulation that the terms run consecutively. Dreismeier also ordered that Scott receive treatment for his addiction while incarcerated. “Clearly, community-based supervision was not working for Mr. Scott,” the judge says. “He physically could not stay away from drugs, even for one day on probation. And this is not his first rodeo with the criminal justice system—he has been put on probation three times now. At some point, he has to face the consequences, and we have to protect our community from the drug suppliers.”
