Pubdate: Thu, 30 Dec 2004
Source: Aberdeen American News (SD)
Copyright: 2004 Aberdeen American News
Contact:  http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/americannews
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1484
Author: Scott Waltman

FORMER NSU ATHLETE SENTENCED

Judge Gives Man Probation, Jail Time, Treatment

An Aberdeen man and former Northern State University athlete avoided state 
prison time Wednesday for a drug-related charge.

Eric L. Dockter, 19, was sentenced on a felony count of conspiracy to 
distribute marijuana.

Circuit Court Judge Jack Von Wald sentenced Dockter to 60 days in county 
jail and three years probation. Von Wald also ordered him to complete a 
chemical dependency evaluation and adhere to its terms. That could involve 
in-patient treatment. Dockter must also pay a fine of $1,063 and make 
restitution of $1,000.

Dockter had earlier pleaded guilty to the marijuana charge. It's a felony 
punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

In exchange for Dockter's guilty plea, other unrelated counts were 
dismissed. He had faced burglary and drug charges stemming from the theft 
of a safe containing $2,900 from an NSU dorm room nearly a year ago. His 
restitution will aid the victim of that crime. If Dockter doesn't adhere to 
the terms of probation, Mark McNeary, Brown County state's attorney, said 
he could still be charged with felony possession of cocaine from the NSU 
incident.

Dockter was given a suspended imposition of sentence. That means if he 
doesn't encounter problems during probation, he won't have a criminal record.

Family and community members testified on Dockter's behalf in what was a 
very somber and sometimes emotional hearing. They asked that he get a 
second chance and said he has admitted to some serious problems.

A pre-sentence investigation revealed Dockter started drinking at age 11 
and taking drugs at age 14. Dockter admitted to using marijuana, cocaine, 
methamphetamine, speed, mushrooms and more.

"I don't ever want to go back to being the same," Dockter said. "I've just 
got to mature."

McNeary challenged Dockter to grow up and realize the impact the events 
have had on his family.

Joel Dockter, Eric Dockter's father, and McNeary have known each other 
since they attended college together at NSU in the late 1980s. McNeary said 
that relationship has been harmed by Eric Dockter's actions.

Eric Dockter played football and baseball at NSU. He said that at the time 
he got into trouble he was carried away with being a college athlete and 
didn't realize the consequences of his actions.

Aberdeen attorney H.I. King of Aberdeen represented Dockter. He asked Von 
Wald to take into consideration, before imposing a sentence, that his 
client is young, has never been in trouble with the law before, and at the 
time of the crime was an expectant father.

The marijuana charge stemmed from an incident in which two other people 
have been charged. One of those men has already been sentenced to 30 days 
in jail. Simply put, authorities believe that early this year the three 
distributed marijuana from an Aberdeen apartment.

Bob VanWinkle, an Aberdeen counselor who helps people with chemical 
dependency, testified that he is willing to help Dockter and that the 
recent events could serve as a "wake-up call." The Rev. James Morgan, a 
Catholic priest in Aberdeen, said in court that he believes Dockter 
sincerely wants to make a new start and has admitted his guilt in the crimes.

As part of his sentence, Dockter must cooperate with authorities as they 
further investigate the incidents he was involved in.
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