Baker sentenced in district court

Monday in Hot Springs District Court, Judge Robert E. Skar sentenced John Baker to a term of three to four years in the state penitentiary. However, that sentence was suspended on a split sentence, resulting instead of Baker’s sentence of one year in the county jail.

The sentence is on a charge of felony endangering a child, and would be reduced should Baker attend an inpatient treatment program. Following any jail time, Baker will be on three years supervised probation. He was also fined $2,000. Judge Skar further cautioned Baker that, should he serve the entire yearlong jail sentence, he would still be required to complete an inpatient treatment program and would be given 60 days to enter such a program. Additionally, Baker was sentenced to 180 days each for three misdemeanor possession charges related to meth, marijuana and psylocibin in pill form. Those jail terms were ordered served concurrently with each other, and with the one-year sentence on the felony charge.

The charges stem from a May 28 incident, during which a vehicle which Baker was in was pulled over for a crack that impeded the driver’s view. A later search of the vehicle revealed a smoking pipe with marijuana residue, syringes, a baggy with a crystalline substance identified as meth and a container with some loose plant material and three capsules with brown plant material identified as mushrooms.

Prior to sentence being passed, Baker said he has made mistakes he’s not proud of, though he recognizes he has a drug problem and he is willing to get treatment. He said he wants to be a better person and a better father. Though clean since 2012 or 2013, Baker said stressful things in his life caused a relapse last year. He added he’s been using drugs the majority of his adult life, but for the past six months he’s been sober and feels good about himself, and has no want or need to use.

Also in district court, Kristy Samples pleaded not guilty to a felony burglary charge. The charge stems from a Sept. 20 incident, during which Samples allegedly stole money and notebooks from her employer after she was relieved from her duties. Trial for Samples is expected to take two days, though no trial date has been set.