MICHAEL C. HAWKINS
WESTFIELD – A homeless city man has a residence, if not a home, after a probation violation sent him back to jail to complete eight sentences – all at the same time.
At a hearing Wednesday, Michael C. Hawkins, 59, currently listed as homeless but formerly with an address at 23 Clinton Ave., Westfield, admitted violating probation imposed for eight charges in November, 2017.
Hawkins had pleaded guilty to three charges of larceny of property from a person older than 60 years-of-age, two charges of uttering a false check and two charges of forgery of a check.
He had been accused of stealing and cashing checks from a 60-year-old person in his residence.
In a court document, Detective Brian Freeman reported that four checks had been stolen from the dresser drawer of the only other person besides Hawkins who lived at the address and described how Hawkins had cashed the checks for a total of $1,400.
Hawkins also pleaded guilty to a charge of violation of a harassment prevention order which had been issued as a result of those offenses. As a result of his eight guilty pleas, Judge Jennifer Tyne sentenced Hawkins to eight, fifteen month terms in the house of correction with, in each case, four months to be served directly and the balance suspended with probation until Nov. 6, 2018.
Tyne ordered that the eight sentences be served concurrently and that Hawkins be given credit for the time he was held awaiting trial.
However, on Feb. 15 Hawkins was back in Westfield District Court having again been charged with violation of a harassment prevention order as well as charges of breaking and entering for a misdemeanor and trespass.
The new charges triggered a violation of probation hearing and Hawkins was held pending that hearing.
On Wednesday, Hawkins admitted the violation and Tyne ordered his probation revoked on all eight charges.
She ordered that he serve the balance of his eight sentences – 11 months – concurrently, with credit for time served.
