Inmate sentenced for failing to return

December 14, 2012

LISBON - Derrick Faulkner, the Salem man who did not return to the Eastern Ohio Correctional Center after going to the dentist on Oct. 11, was sentenced to two years in prison on Thursday.

In addition to stipulating to violating his probation for walking away from the EOCC, Faulkner pleaded guilty to two additional but unrelated charges of drug abuse (heroin) and receiving stolen property.

Following his decision to not return to the EOCC where he was receiving treatment for his drug-related problems, Faulkner was taken into custody when authorities found him about two weeks later in Campbell.

Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Weikart said Faulkner's decision to abscond from the treatment program shows a complete lack of respect. One of Faulkner's defense attorneys, Doug King, said he saw it differently. He felt the pull of Faulkner's drug addiction was enough to make him throw away his the opportunity for treatment.

"He knows he was given a chance," King said, "and he knows he blew it."

Washam said the decision previously to place Faulkner into treatment was based on Washam recognizing the problems Faulkner has been facing. After he violated those terms, Washam said he was sentencing him to 12 months on those previous charges of receiving stolen property, forgery and misuse of credit cards. Along with his parents, Faulkner had been accused of taking about $20,000 from Henry Snell, utilizing his stolen checks and credit card.

For the new charges, Washam sentenced Faulkner to six months on each charge. He was credited with 170 days served, leaving him with a little more than a 18 months to serve.