By Ray King
An Arkansas County man sentenced to prison for violating conditions of his probation will see his sentence reduced because of a court error.
Joseph Huffman, 54, was charged with drug related offenses in 2020 and was placed on probation for four years. He was required to agree to several conditions including that he not use controlled substances and he pay certain fines and fees.
Before that probation was up, the state filed a motion to revoke it, alleging he had tested positive for drugs and failed to pay fines and fees.
After a hearing, Circuit Judge Donna Galloway found that Huffman had violated those conditions and sentenced him to two 10-year prison sentences to be served concurrently. He was also ordered to pay fines and fees.
Huffman’s appeal challenged only the allegation that he did not pay the fines and fees, but the appeals court rejected that.
The court however said Huffman’s prison sentence for his Class D felony convictions had a maximum sentence of 6 years and the trial court erred with the longer sentence.
Huffman’s sentence was reduced to 6 years and his appeal was dismissed.
