LAKE HAVASU CITY – A Lake Havasu City man sobbed when a push for probation was dashed by a judge who could not look past a criminal record riddled with felony convictions, most of them drug related.
“My client does not have a particularly good history,” defense attorney Greg Pridham conceded, on behalf of his client Michael Seedorf, 48. But Pridham asserted that Seedorf deserves a chance at probation given changes for the better he’s made since his arrest and arraignment last summer.
It was noted during Monday’s sentencing hearing that Seedorf is using Southwest Behavioral Services, counseling, church and employment to deal with a long history of substance abuse.
“I’ve been broken for a long time,” said Seedorf, who said he is finally embracing support services he previously ignored. “I needed help the whole time, but never looked for it.”
His mother and employer also asked Mohave County Superior Court Judge Lee Jantzen to provide probation opportunity for Seedorf.
“Please give him a second chance,” his boss said. He called Seedorf a skilled craftsman, one of the best metal fabrication workers he has ever seen.
“I’ve watched the roller coaster ride with our son for decades,” his mother said, further stating that Seedorf appears to have his life on the right track.
“Please give him a chance,” she pleaded. “Incarceration is not the answer.”
Seedorf pleaded guilty to a possession of dangerous drugs for sale charge. Police observing numerous traffic infractions stopped the vehicle he was driving at 4:43 a.m. last August 6.
Police said about one-quarter pound of methamphetamine, about 500 fentanyl pills, $1,700 in cash and a handgun were confiscated from the vehicle.
Judge Jantzen said steps taken by Seedorf are positive, but that he’s late to the recovery party, having failed previously.
“I cannot justify probation, despite all the positives I see,” Jantzen said. He ordered a four-year prison term for Seedorf.
Dave Hawkins
Seedorf gets four years for drug charges
