FARMINGTON – A New Sharon man will serve 5 years in prison after he pleaded guilty in Franklin County Superior Court to charges connected with methamphetamine production. His plea also addresses the state’s allegations that he endangered his two children after a cooking pot exploded and caused extensive fire damage in his home.
Daniel Villacci, 28, pleaded guilty to Class A aggravated trafficking of a schedule drug, namely methamphetamine; Class D endangering the welfare of a child and violating conditions of release, a Class E crime. He also pleaded guilty to an earlier probation violation.
Judge Susan Oram accepted Villacci’s plea to all the charges and sentenced him to 1 year in prison for the first probation violation and 10 years in prison with all but 4 years suspended for aggravated trafficking of a schedule drug charge. He was was also sentenced to 9 months on the child endangerment charge and 6 months for the second probation violation, both those charges to run concurrently with the 5-year sentence.
Villacci was supposed to begin serving a 6-month sentence on April 1, after he was convicted on a charge in connection with a heroin overdose when both he and Tabatha Schoubroek, 30, were found unresponsive by a child returning home on April 8, 2014.
On Feb. 27, Villacci, pleaded guilty to felony unlawful possession of a schedule drug, namely heroin, and was sentenced in Franklin County Unified Court to 2 years with all but 6 months suspended, followed by 2 years of probation and a $400 fine. He was also ordered to pay $300 in restitution, in connection with a theft charge.
On Aug. 27, 2014, Schoubroek agreed to a 1-year deferred disposition on a felony charge of unlawful possession of a Schedule drug. The agreement included the provision that if she abides by the conditions for one year, on Aug. 28, 2015, she would be able to return to court and plead guilty to a misdemeanor possession charge and pay a $400 fine.
On Dec. 5, 2014, Villacci and Schoubroek were arrested on charges of theft, misuse of identification and violating conditions of release. Police said an Irving’s gas station credit card issued by the company where Villacci was employed until he was fired in late November 2014, was used in the unauthorized purchase of several pre-paid debit cards worth $6,695.88.
In Franklin County Superior Court on Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Claire Andrews said if Villacci’s case had gone to trial, investigators with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency would have testified they received a tip from the Farmington Police Department that he was manufacturing methamphetamine at the home at 545 Farmington Falls Road.
During the execution of the search warrant on March 27, agents discovered extensive fire damage to a bedroom believed to have started after a cooking vessel exploded during the manufacture of meth.
During the search of the home, Andrews said Villacci “admitted cooking meth.” The children, 6 and 8 years old, weren’t home at the time of the search, but “toys were next to items used to cook meth.” Ingredients for manufacturing meth were found in the home and Villacci “admitted that a cook caused that fire,” Andrews said.
Upon his release, Villacci will serve 3 years of probation with conditions that include no possession of alcohol or illegal drugs and substance abuse counseling. He is to pay a $555 fine.
“I appreciate you are taking responsibility for this,” Oram told Villacci after sentencing him. “I understand you are devoted to your young family-you can use this opportunity for making changes in your life.”
I am sorry I wasn’t there for you. I was told the court date was June 4th. I hope your new journey teaches you what I know in my heart you know. Your children are going to miss you and you are going to miss out on a lot of things. I know this is hard on you. You have been not just my nephew but a son to me. My heart aches for you but you made these choices and this is what happens. You are very lucky this is all you are getting please remember that. Remember that I love you and my thoughts are with you everyday.
The judge told Villacci ” she understands he is devoted to his young family.” ?? In my opinion devotion would have put his children first and he would not be in this mess!!
Drug addiction does not give anyone the mercy of putting anything first! Its the addiction, then everything else. People addicted to drugs love their family and children just as much as a non-drug addict. Its not a switch you can flip on or off… not any single person is perfect, so I suggest educating yourself on drug addiction before judging. There is hope, people overcome drug addiction everyday. With SUPPORT, not people tearing them down.
There is Hope
Thank for your comment. This is my family and I did and still educating myself about addiction. I hate the drug but the love the addict. This is killing to many people. This is destroying to many family’s. This needs to be heard. To many people hide in the shadows because someone they care about is an addict. Speak up and become involved.
I hope there’s hope for those poor children who keep getting put into dangerous situations. THAT’S where people should be wishing for hope.
Ihope
you are so right. I hope and pray for them everyday.