Court finds multiple probation violations for Brenda Sanchez after narcotics evidence; hearing contested

The 252nd District Court heard contested testimony on April 3 in consolidated probation-revocation proceedings against Brenda Sanchez (causes 20-33832, 20-34508, and 26DCCR0027). After testimony from community-supervision staff and two narcotics detectives, the judge found multiple revocation counts true.

Detectives testified that during a knock-and-talk at a residence officers observed marijuana and, after an occupant produced a pill bottle from a bedside drawer, submitted pills to the lab. Detective Christopher Lee Raymer described observing a prescription bottle produced from a nightstand and said the pills initially appeared to be a controlled opioid. Detective Matthew Neal testified that the lab analysis (state’s exhibit 1) identified the pills as hydromorphone, commonly known as Dilaudid.

Sanchez testified that the pills belonged to a friend who had been staying in her home temporarily and that she retrieved the bottle and handed it to officers when asked. She said she has been on methadone treatment for about six and a half years and denied being under the influence when the officers spoke with her; she also said she cooperated because officers asked for any narcotics found at the residence.

The prosecutor argued for revocation and asked the court to impose the minimum custodial term; defense counsel urged continuation of probation and pointed to Sanchez’s employment, treatment history and a plan for supervision. The court took judicial notice of the probation file and an updated pre-sentence report. After hearing the evidence, the judge stated he would find certain counts true (the court announced findings that counts 1, 3 and 4 were true in the listed causes).

The hearing included argument about chain of custody and the decision to conduct a knock-and-talk rather than obtain a search warrant; defense counsel objected to reliance on certain documents but the judge admitted a lab certificate into evidence for the purposes of the revocation hearing. Sanchez said she lost her daughter to an overdose and described efforts to remain clean; probation staff described outstanding community-service hours and supervisory recommendations that she participate in the safety program.

At the close of the hearing the court announced findings on the probation-revocation counts; sentencing or further disposition was to follow the court’s pronouncement and the transcript ends with the court having found those counts true. The record shows the court weighed rehabilitation arguments and the seriousness of the alleged violations before making factual findings.