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Michael Aras Mendez pleads no contest; 4-year sentence suspended and probated with supervision conditions
Summary
In a possession of a controlled substance case, the court accepted Michael Aras Mendez’s plea (no contest) and suspended a four-year sentence, placing him on four years of community supervision with treatment and testing conditions.
Judge Stephanie Boyd accepted Michael Aras Mendez’s plea of no contest to possession of a controlled substance (penalty group 1, 1–4 grams) and imposed a four-year prison sentence that she suspended and probated for four years.
The State recommended community supervision and a TAP evaluation; the court accepted exhibits into evidence and, based on stipulations, found the defendant guilty. Conditions ordered included TAP and other in‑custody evaluations, regular random UAs, proof of employment within 30 days of release, restrictions against employment as a home‑healthcare provider or with minors, 200 hours of community-service restitution (which may be waived if the defendant obtains a GED or trade certification), and a requirement of 120 sober meetings in 120 days. The court also ordered monthly field visits until further notice.
Defense counsel told the court the defendant had been using substances for about 10 years, had taken steps toward treatment and employment, and expressed a desire to change. The judge emphasized the alternatives available — education or community service — and explained that the court would enforce supervision conditions if the defendant failed to comply.
The court advised the defendant about the collateral consequence that a felony conviction bars possession of weapons or ammunition. The State asked that the recommendation for community supervision be followed; the court entered the suspended sentence and probation as described on the record.
