LAKE HAVASU CITY – Their lack of criminal history was key for a drug dealing Lake Havasu City couple to avoid prison incarceration. Ted Joines, 38, and Leslie Joines, 31, were placed on probation during consecutive Feb. 9 sentencing hearings conducted by Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen.
The Joines entered separate but identical plea agreements in Jan., convicting them of a charge reduced to attempted possession of narcotic drugs for sale. A Lake Havasu City police investigation focused on Mr. Joines’ alleged drug sales led to the couple’s arrests last July.
Officers reportedly seized 65 grams of cocaine during a traffic stop and search of the vehicle Mr. Joines was driving. Mrs. Joines was arrested during a subsequent search of their home at 3040 Bosum Drive netted confiscation of about one kilogram of cocaine.
Mr. Joines’ mother said her son and daughter-in-law are hard-working and smart, and that their drug trafficking involvement was an aberration.
“It’s their first time. They’re good kids,” she said. “I don’t know what happened.”
Judge Jantzen said the sales activity and amount of drugs involved in the case typically results in prison punishment. But he placed them both on probation, expressing frustration that they strayed from legal lifestyles.
“You guys have a clean record and a history of good things,” Jantzen said. “This is a drug that kills people. You probably have friends and family hooked on this stuff.”
Jantzen imposed more punishment for Mr. Joines, deeming him more culpable and involved in the drug sales activity. He placed him on probation for four years, imposed a 180-day jail sentence and ordered him to perform 100 hours of community work service.
Jantzen placed Mrs. Joines on probation for three years and imposed a 60-day jail term. He encouraged the couple to serve their punishment and focus on turning their lives around.
“You have to step up in the future and change whatever caused this,” Jantzen said.
Dave Hawkins
