Hope Sykes arrested 1/20/2010

[raisincharlie]

I honestly think a semi decent attorney could have gotten her in to a pretrial intervention via drug court. They even have a special program for women (I think based on the idea that the majority are mothers and their children benefit from them going to rehab). I double checked the statutes and drug trafficking is not exempt from the program. And she was only facing one count.

Being 18 and knowing all there is to know about the world and what she is and isn't going to do bit her in the BIG TIME.

They also have the following option:

Substantial Assistance – An Alternative to Prison

Another method of avoiding the harsh mandatory prison sanctions mandated by Florida’s Drug Trafficking statutes may be though your cooperation in providing law enforcement “substantial assistance.” Florida Statute Section 893.135(1)(l)(4) provides:


“The state attorney may move the sentencing court to reduce or suspend the sentence of any person who is convicted of a violation of this section and who provides substantial assistance in the identification, arrest, or conviction of any of that person's accomplices, accessories, coconspirators, or principals or of any other person engaged in trafficking in controlled substances.”

This means that if you are facing a drug trafficking charge, the mandatory prison terms called for under Florida law may be waived if you provide substantial assistance to the police in the identification and subsequent arrest of other persons unlawfully dealing in the drug trade. Substantial assistance commonly entails more than just simply providing information to law enforcement. Rather, you will be called upon to work with an undercover police officer, make recorded phone calls, set up and negotiate “controlled buys” and at times even be required to wear a “wire” or concealed recording device

One might want to go to the coroner's office and pick up their death certificate after making such a deal.

 

[legallee]

hey redhead! we posted at the same time!

 

[mysticrose]

Well after seeing the sentence handed down today in regards to Hope, Ron I think will get for sure 15 years IMO, Misty I am not sure because I am not sure of any priors but I do not believe she will get that Jr. detention program.
ToC I am not sure because it is apparent he is working with LE and I am not sure if any of that help will go towards his drug charges or not.

Both Misty and Ron have plead not guilty so that they can get a Jury Trial which I would not want after seeing those videos. Not sure what the lawyers defense will be in a Jury trial all I know is that they are letting 12 people of their peers decide their fate and sentencing and IMO it could certainley be alot steeper then what the judge will hand down, especially if they get to see Misty's recorded calls with her parents.

I am shooting from the hip here and going to say that a plea deal will be reached before Ron or Misty make it to a Jury, defense doesn't stand a chance ...15 for Ron , min 15 for Misty, ToC not sure nor Donna
This is Moo of course

 

[mck16]

She sure seemed very sure of herself.

Seeing her on the drug bust tape really opened my eyes about Misty. Naive she isn't by a long shot.

IMOO

I agree and she even looked like she was having so much fun. She looked like she was so "excited" if you get my drift. jmo

 

[Searchfortruth]

I really doubt that Misty will get the youthful offender program as these are trafficking charges, not just possession. Plus, it is clear she played a major role in the drug deals and has a long list of charges. Hope, who was in on one drug deal and in the back seat got 15 years, no way is Misty getting off with less than 25.

 

[mck16]

I really doubt that Misty will get the youthful offender program as these are trafficking charges, not just possession. Plus, it is clear she played a major role in the drug deals and has a long list of charges. Hope, who was in on one drug deal and in the back seat got 15 years, no way is Misty getting off with less than 25.

I missed this somewhere along the way and appreciate any response. Are these charges state or Federal? tia

 

[raisincharlie]

I'm thinking Mr. Shoemaker (5 counts) and Mr. Fields (7 counts Putnam, 1 count St, Johns) are swallowing very hard right now.

Mr. Werter - he is busy working for his client.

 

[Maryann123]

Kim, I know if we go off topic we are in BIG trouble.......but I need some help. Can someone post a copy of "standard abbreviated chat speak?" As an example, what does the bold in Lonetraveler's post mean? I see where others are having the same problem. I can figures some of them out.....some I can't.
Please don't send me a warning......cause I know I'll do it again...and here comes my T.O.!

Lonetraveler's quote:
She most likely didn't understand that she didn't understand, KWIM? LOL. She may have thought she knew it all and dismissed her attorney as being an idiot, kinda like how she treated her mother.


This is crazy...as soon as I went back to re-read my post I figured it out. Know what I mean? But there are many more that I never get!


Oh my gosh! I just got a click telling me I had an new email, and figured it was Kim with my warning......it wasn't! My heart is still pounding!

 

[Searchfortruth]

I missed this somewhere along the way and appreciate any response. Are these charges state or Federal? tia

These are state.

 

[Dr.Fessel]

Didnt Ron tell someone he already knew he was going to do at least 25 years for the drug charges?

I think he already knows he is getting a long prison term.

imo

He also said he was innocent and plead not quilty.

 

[LaLaw2000]

But Misty hasn't ever been arrested before - or has she? Her juvenile records would be sealed....:waitasec:

Or would juvenile records come into play? Are they not counted when arrested as an adult? I have no idea about the law on these things.

BBM: No, juvenile convictions cannot be considered, IMO.

I would expect Misty to get probably 30 years total, with sentences for each count to run concurrent. I say this because she has no prior convictions as an adult.

I believe these are Federal drug trafficking charges. Federal Inmates usually serve 85% of their time, and that is a minimum.

If Misty is sentenced to Federal time, within a couple of weeks of sentencing, she will be sent to a regional Federal Intake Center usually transported by air (inmate plane). Misty could wind up in any Federal Facility anywhere in the United States. She would not do her time in State Prison.

This is JMO and experience. I have transported both Federal and State inmates to court. The Federal Marshall's Office has their own holding cells in their courthouse office. There is one cell for females and one for males. At court time, I would go into the courtroom with the Marshall's and inmates and have to remain in the courtroom until court is over.

If these are State charges, it is a whole 'nother ballgame, but I still say 30 years (concurrent) because of no prior adult record. In State Prison, she could do as little as 50% of her sentence because of the 'good time' guidline. That would be 50% getting credit for two days with every one day served. With disciplinary infractions, she might be there for 100% of her sentence depending on how many she racks up.

Again, JMO

 

[nnglas]

One might want to go to the coroner's office and pick up their death certificate after making such a deal.

:floorlaugh: Ok, where do I send the bill for my replacement keyboard, and my pepsi? lol

 

[impatientredhead]

Kim, I know if we go off topic we are in BIG trouble.......but I need some help. Can someone post a copy of "standard abbreviated chat speak?" As an example, what does the bold in Lonetraveler's post mean? I see where others are having the same problem. I can figures some of them out.....some I can't.
Please don't send me a warning......cause I know I'll do it again...and here comes my T.O.!

Lonetraveler's quote:
She most likely didn't understand that she didn't understand, KWIM? LOL. She may have thought she knew it all and dismissed her attorney as being an idiot, kinda like how she treated her mother.


This is crazy...as soon as I went back to re-read my post I figured it out. Know what I mean? But there are many more that I never get!

Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community Lingo thread

KWIM- Know what I mean

 

[impatientredhead]

BBM: No, juvenile convictions cannot be considered, IMO.

I would expect Misty to get probably 30 years total, with sentences for each count to run concurrent. I say this because she has no prior convictions as an adult.

I believe these are Federal drug trafficking charges. Federal Inmates usually serve 85% of their time, and that is a minimum.

If Misty is sentenced to Federal time, within a couple of weeks of sentencing, she will be sent to a regional Federal Intake Center usually transported by air (inmate plane). Misty could wind up in any Federal Facility anywhere in the United States. She would not do her time in State Prison.

This is JMO and experience. I have transported both Federal and State inmates to court. The Federal Marshall's Office has their own holding cells in their courthouse office. There is one cell for females and one for males. At court time, I would go into the courtroom with the Marshall's and inmates and have to remain in the courtroom until court is over.

If these are State charges, it is a whole 'nother ballgame, but I still say 30 years (concurrent) because of no prior adult record. In State Prison, she could do as little as 50% of her sentence because of the 'good time' guidline. That would be 50% getting credit for two days with every one day served. With disciplinary infractions, she might be there for 100% of her sentence depending on how many she racks up.

Again, JMO

These are state charges and Florida is an 85% minimum state for time served. I will have to go back to see how many grams Misty and Ron are charged with having. One amount is a 15 year minimum and the other is a 25 year minimum.

 

[MADJGNLAW]

Maybe it's just me. I remember when the call was released how Hope sounded as if she didn't understand why her lawyer plead no-contest
and here we are today, she is facing 15yrs. I wonder if she will appeal and get new counsel? Yes, she may of signed documents stating she understood but what did she understand is the question? What did her attorney lead her to believe or what state of mind was she in when she was explained what no-contest meant? I agree, she should be punished for her crime. But when I see at all the monsters that kill and get 5-10yrs or the sex offenders who get a few years or probation, well it just makes me feel that our justice system is so corrupt. Not that I am defending Hope. Just saying, if they are going to give a dope head 15 yrs, they need to give killers and Sex Offenders worst sentences.


MARCH 21: HOPE SYKES' JAIL PHONE CALL HOME AFTER COURT
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/video/#/Hope+Sykes+Prison+Phone+Call,+3/21/10/75628125001



Article: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/news-article.aspx?storyid=154169


What I got out of Hope's call home from MARCH 21, 2010:

Hope did not understand what her attorney did in court!

Hope said she did not plea no-contest, he attorney did!

Hope is under the impression she is just going to the salvation army program, no jail time.

Ron got a deal for 25yrs in prison.

Ron got denied drug court!

Ron said he was going to try and take on Hopes charge and she told him no.

Hope got to ride in the cop car with Ron, wonder if the car was wired and what else was said.

Hope claims she dose not understand what her attorney did in court 3/31/2010.

Hope has two different court dates/charges. One for open court and the other.

Hope would rather go to prison than do both,the 6yr mandatory drug program and rehab.

Hope claims she would not do both, the youth offender program and the drug program.

Hope claims that if she has to do both, if they think she is bad now, WAIT UNTIL SHE GETS OUT! (Wow, she is a cocky girl! She is set in her ways and said she is not doing both!)

Hope sounds as if her attorney gave her the impression that she is not doing any jail time.

Hope said she never had any pills, she only sat in the car.

Hope also claims she is a stripper, but lied to the judge and told him she didn't have a job.

Hope said that they are all 10 steps in front of the game and if everybody would know how to pick up their dam steps....everybody was suppose to plea in open court and she seems confused as to why they didn't.
She is pist.

Hope is confused and Heated regarding how things went down in court.

 

[Dr.Fessel]

I really believe Ron will get the longest sentence. They will play the tapes of Hope gushing her love for Ron, all the tapes where Misty is taking instructions from Ron on the phone during the drug deals and push for the max. I could really see him doing life plus.

 

[Emma Peel]

What can be expected for the others?

for Tommy: a divorce granted due to imprisonment (irretreviably broken)

for Misty: 30 years x 1 HB/day = 10,950 HoneyBuns

And well, ... Ron's gonna need quite a few more pairs of underwear.

and a long time no see, for all. JMHO :angel:

 

[Donjeta]

Hope would rather go to prison than do both,the 6yr mandatory drug program and rehab.

Hope claims she would not do both, the youth offender program and the drug program.

Hope claims that if she has to do both, if they think she is bad now, WAIT UNTIL SHE GETS OUT! (Wow, she is a cocky girl! She is set in her ways and said she is not doing both!)

Careful what you wish for... you just might get it.

 

[Helplessly Hoping]

ITA Madj, on that phone call, Hope sounded the least able of this group to understand what was going on with these charges. But her priors and attitude are what burned her IMO.

 

[chesterp]

Plus $250,000 fines! She'll never come up with that, what happens then?

When she gets out she might sell Bibles to pay off the debt.