La Plata, MD – Melissa Kay Overton, 45 of Waldorf, will not see the inside of a jail for a distribution of morphine charge stemming from a Jan. 18, 2014 incident, but Charles County Circuit Court Judge Helen I. Harrington said Monday, March 2 once the court dispensed her sentence, she might wish she had.

Overton was sentenced to 20 years, but Harrington suspended the sentence and gave the defendant five years of supervised probation and 200 hours of community service.

Charles County Assistant State’s Attorney Jeremy Widder told the court Overton’s charge was “a pretty serious offense.”

Widder noted Overton was an emergency medical technician at the detention center.

“She has a good job,” Widder said. “She knows the dangers of drugs in our community.”

Overton’s attorney, Seth Okin, said that prior to the offense, his client was unemployed for a substantial amount of time.

“She was in an absolutely terrible situation,” Okin said. “While it doesn’t excuse her behavior, she just saw it as a way to make funds. She lives with her father and takes care of him.”

He added that Overton pushed her father to see a doctor and upon receiving medical treatment he was diagnosed with lung cancer.

“Having her present in his life may have saved his life,” Okin stated.

Overton told the court she was disappointed in herself.

“My life has been turned upside down,” she said. “I literally had no money. It was the worst mistake I ever made in my life.”

“You are correct,” Harrington said. “This was a huge mistake. There are food pantries, food stamps available to people in need.”

“I think it was my pride that wouldn’t let me do those things,” Overton said.

“And look where your pride brought you, into court facing charges for criminal activity,” Harrington responded. 

Harrington said Overton could do eight hours of community service for a year until she has completed the 200 hours, and ordered her to submit to a random urinalysis and to participate in an alcohol and drug treatment education program.

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com