Defendant Receives Probation for Drug Charges

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On July 31, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a defendant to six months of unsupervised probation.

Alvin Boyd, 52, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was initially charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance when Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers executed a search warrant of his residence on June 20 and found cocaine and drug paraphernalia. 

Judge Judith Smith sentenced Boyd to 90 days in jail for the controlled substance charge and 30 days for the paraphernalia charge. Both sentences are concurrent, however she suspended the incarceration time. Instead, the defendant has to serve six months of unsupervised probation.

Judge Smith said that she imposed this sentence due to Boyd’s lack of felony convictions. She also encouraged Boyd to seek out substance abuse services.

Boyd’s attorney, Lisbeth Sapirstein, said that Boyd uses drugs to self-medicate for a plethora of health issues for which he does not receive adequate medication. 

“I am a good guy put in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Boyd said. “And I’m sorry about that.”

Case Number: 2020 CF2 005476