Riverton Man Sentenced to Prison for 6th DUI

Judge Jeffrey Donnell sentenced a Fremont County man to prison for his fourth DUI in 10 years–a felony–in Albany County District Court on Monday.

Robert Depina, 45, of Riverton was sentenced to 4-7 years in prison and recommended to the Intensive Treatment Unit for his alcohol addiction.

Defense attorney Candace Pisciotti requested supervised probation and a treatment program for alcohol abuse, saying “I believe he can be productive if he can get his drinking under control.”

“This is one of the more serious alcohol addictions I think I’ve seen in my career,” said Pisciotti.

The state recommended incarceration, citing Depina’s 50 arrests in the past 22 years.  Prosecuting attorney Kurt Britzius went on to say that Depina had been placed on supervised probation four times before and probation was revoked in three of those instances.

“The state simply would not feel comfortable having Mr. Depina out on the street,” said Britzius.

In his statement to the court, Depina asked for supervised probation and the opportunity to continue his treatment program.

“This is a place in my life I never thought I’d come to,” said Depina.

“I don’t doubt your good intentions today,” said Judge Donnell.  “The problem is, it doesn’t last.  It never has.”

Judge Donnell cited three previous attempts at treatment programs and 35 prior convictions–including DUI convictions in 2005, 2009, and 2011–before formally sentencing Depina to prison.

“You should’ve had serious consequences a long time ago,” said Judge Donnell.