Nielsen sentenced to 36 months after probation violations

Posted on Tuesday, August 17, 2010

By CHUCK CLEMENT, Staff Reporter

Ricky Lee Nielsen, 25, was sentenced on Monday to 36 months in the state penitentiary for probation violations that occurred earlier this year.

Nielsen had pleaded guilty to two counts of driving under the influence that occurred in June and September 2009. He received suspended prison sentences during sentencing.

Instead of having him complete a possible four years maximum behind bars, the Third Circuit Court placed Nielsen on probation and ordered him to join the state's 24/7 program. The 24/7 program monitors probationers on a daily basis to verify that they are not drinking alcohol.

The daily alcohol checks had found that Nielsen had broken his probation requirements on April 24, April 29 and July 18.

Judge Tim D. Tucker told Nielsen in the Lake County courtroom that the failed alcohol checks were significant violations.

Tucker sentenced Nielsen to two consecutive 18-month sentences in the state penitentiary, giving him credit for 75 days that he had already served.

©Madison Daily Leader 2010