A man who robbed several drug stores said in court that opioids had “controlled my life.” Terry Hassler’s crime spree across the Southeast also led to a seven-year federal prison sentence followed by five years of probation.

He appeared in Chattanooga Federal Court before Judge Sandy Mattice May 20th.

Hassler robbed several pharmacies in late May and early June of 2018 and was charged with aggravated robbery in both Hamilton and Bradley counties as well as other jurisdictions.

Erin Rust, Hassler’s attorney, filed a motion for downward variance on the sentencing, emphasizing her client’s previously spotless record and his many letters of support from different members of the community. She hoped to decrease Hassler’s sentence and eliminate the 28 months he would have to serve for brandishing a firearm during the robbery.

Judge Mattice seemed to agree, saying, “Mr. Hassler is a very meek individual, very different from people who usually commit these crimes.”

Attorney Rust also placed emphasis on the remorse shown by Hassler, and even prosecutor Scott Winne appeared to take note of this as well. In the prosecution’s eyes, this remorse was a point in Hassler’s favor, with prosecutor Winne saying “A lot of people come up here and say ‘I’m just an addict.’ Well, this guy really is just an addict. He wasn’t trying to distribute, he was just trying to feed his addiction.”

Judge Mattice continued by painting a more positive picture of Hassler’s character, saying, “He describes his arrest as a blessing…he has a good chance at rehabilitation,” finishing his monologue by admitting, “You know what, I think 84 months is enough in this case.”  FULL STORY HERE