As you no doubt recall, Doug Havard -- the former Winston School and SMU student who skipped town after being arrested on charges of counterfeiting, selling GHB and armed robbery, among many others -- was brought back to the U.S. a few days ago following a six-year prison vacay in England. This morning, Havard pleaded guilty in front of U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Stickney to a single count indictment stemming from his having made a false statement in applying for a passport. Long story short, per the U.S. Attorney's Office recap:
In June 2002, Havard applied for a U.S. passport, stating that he was "Eugene James Griftner," born in Dallas on September 8, 1980. As proof of citizenship, Havard presented a birth certificate in that name and as proof of identity, he presented a Texas driver's license in that name.Havard, a two-time Dallas Observer cover boy, will be sentenced June 20 and faces a max prison sentence of 10 years and a $250,000 fine. Says U.S. Attorney Jim Jacks, "Mr. Havard was just 19 when he knowingly lied on a passport application, obtained that passport and fled the U.S. -- all to avoid facing serious felony charges in Texas. Now, thanks to the excellent work by the U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Security Office and the U.S. Marshals Service, Havard is back in Texas where he will be held accountable."
But now what becomes of that laundry list of charges Havard skipped out on in Dallas and Collin County?
There are three cases pending in Dallas County: one containing two
counts of delivery of a controlled substance (GHB) over 400 grams,
another charging him with engaging in organized crime and another
charging him with counterfeiting
driver's licenses. In Collin County is a case, filed in May 2001,
charging Havard with aggravated robbery.
A message has been left
for and an e-mail has been sent to First Assistant Collin County
District District Attorney David Waddill, but Jamille Bradfield,
spokesman for Craig Watkins's office, tells Unfair Park via e-mail,
"It's my understanding that Havard will have to take care of his federal
case before he will be released to Dallas and/or Collin counties to
dispose of his pending State cases." A message has also been left for
Havard's attorney -- former U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins.
