Former Corrections Officer Sentenced To 15 Years

[HapkidoKa]

Former Corrections Officer Sentenced To 15 Years

Courtesy photo
Hector Velazquez Jr
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By Dan Fearson of Highlands Today

Published: February 19, 2008

SEBRING — As a former officer at the Avon Park Correctional Institution, Hector Velazquez Jr. dealt with violent, drug-addicted inmates on a daily basis.

Now, because of an alleged eight-day cocaine fueled crime spree in 2005, Velazquez, of Sebring, will be behind bars.

On Monday, Judge Peter Estrada sentenced Velazquez to 15 years in prison on two charges of robbery with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery and possessing or displaying a hoax bomb during a felony.

"I was doing drugs to the point that I wasn't thinking," said Velazquez, during Monday's disposition hearing. "I called in sick to work the whole week. All that I was thinking before I committed the crimes was that one of three things can happen to me — I can go to jail, I can die, or I can get away with it and stop."

The Crime Spree
Velazquez admitted to authorities that during an eight-day period in August 2005 he committed three armed robberies, including that of the Movie Gallery, 2940 U.S. 27 S., the Wachovia Bank, 3200 U.S. 27 S., and Comcast Cable, 3010 Herring Ave.

On Aug. 18, Velazquez entered the Movie Gallery and robbed the store's manager at knife-point, stealing $30 from the store's register.

The day after the Movie Gallery robbery, Velazquez drove through a drive-up window at the Wachovia Bank and placed a small box with a note attached to it saying that it was a bomb, telling the teller that she had 30 seconds to give Velazquez money before the bomb detonated.

After becoming frustrated that the teller was not following his directions, Velazquez drove off from the bank, and the bomb squad from the Tampa Police Department had to be called in to detonate the device, which turned out to be a hoax.

A week after the Wachovia scare, Velazquez robbed two Comcast workers in their office, jumping over a service counter and holding them at knifepoint, taking $900.

Velazquez then attempted to flee the scene of the crime, but was stopped by patrol officers.

The Reasoning
Velazquez alleged that the stress of his job as a corrections officer had led him to a cocaine habit that lasted about six years.

Velazquez told authorities that he committed the crimes because a drug-dealing neighbor was threatening to kill his family over a money dispute. He said he was high on cocaine at the time of the robberies.

"I did something wrong for one week of my life," said Velazquez, who openly wept in court. "I was worried about my family and my friends."

Velazquez has a wife and two children.

Velazquez said that his neighbor intentionally got him addicted to cocaine, storing it at his home, knowing that he had a drug-habit and taking advantage of the fact that he felt like he could not go to the authorities because of his job.

"I was an addict," said Velazquez. "Drugs took control of my life."

The Aftermath
Velazquez waived his right to a jury trial and pleaded no-contest to his charges last October after reaching an agreement with prosecutors.

In an effort to produce a lighter sentence, Velazquez's attorney, Roy Gonzales of Bartow, called in several family members and friends to speak on his behalf during Monday's court proceedings.

"He was well-respected by his co-workers and had a clean record," said a Florida Department of Corrections mental health clinician, who worked with Velazquez and treated him after his arrest.
The clinician said that Velazquez was receiving medication for anxiety prior to committing the crimes and that he had stopped taking the medication.

Velazquez's mother and several other family members flew in from Puerto Rico to attend the disposition.

"I love my son dearly," said Velazquez's mother. "I know that he cares dearly for his friends and family. I have forgiven him and I cannot blame him."

Velazquez has been housed in the Highlands County Jail since his arrest.

"My father has changed in the time that he has been gone from our family. He has changed more than any other person I've seen in such a short period of time," said Velazquez's son, age 24, of Sebring. "He has missed the birth of my daughter. He has missed a number of things."

"This is a man who has admitted he has done wrong," said Gonzales. "He has shown great remorse and tried to work with authorities."

Velazquez maintained that he has tried to work with law enforcement officials while he has been in jail, saying that they ignored his attempts to give information about local drug dealers.

"As a prosecutor, I'm obliged to seek protection for the community," said Assistant State Attorney John Kromholz, who said that Velazquez could have been facing a life sentence if his case would've gone to a jury trial.

"When you become a correctional officer, you take an oath saying that you're a firm believer in protecting the citizens of the state," said Estrada, before handing down Velazquez's sentence. "You (Velazquez) violated that very oath."

"You can't entertain violence in order to fight a drug habit," said Estrada.

Before his sentence was rendered, Velazquez told the court that he was sorry that he gave the prison "a black-eye."

"I've learned that there is no such thing as a safe amount of drugs," said Velazquez. "And that stress is a major part of everybody's life."

Former Corrections Officer Sentenced To 15 Years

[Movementarian]

Originally Posted by HapkidoKa

Velazquez alleged that the stress of his job as a corrections officer had led him to a cocaine habit that lasted about six years.

Originally Posted by HapkidoKa

"I did something wrong for one week of my life," said Velazquez, who openly wept in court. "I was worried about my family and my friends."

It looks to me like he did something wrong for at least six years, but I am one of those sticklers that thinks cocaine is wrong. He deserves everyday that he got.