Judge gives 18-year-old one final reprieve with drug treatment, work release

Maurice Harden, a teen involved in a robbery that led to a Cedar Rapids police officer being seriously injured in 2009, gets another reprieve on his probation being revoked as he moves into the Hinzman Center this month, which will allow him to receive increased drug treatment and more restrictions.

Harden , 18, of Cedar Rapids is on probation for first-degree robbery and interference with official acts causing serious injury in the March 29, 2009 robbery of David Scanlon and Austin Switalski, both of Cedar Rapids. Harden received a deferred sentence on the 25-year prison term because he was a juvenile at the time and then he received probation last year after he turned 18.

After a hearing earlier this month, 6th Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill decided to extend Harden's probation and place him for a year in the Hinzman Center. Harden has remained in jail pending his move into the center. He will be required to get a job and can only leave the center for work. He will also receive increased drug treatment, according to the judge's order.

Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden filed a revocation of probation in September, after Harden had five incidents of missed curfews and testing positive for marijuana.

Thornhill at the earlier hearing said he had already given him jail time last November for the same violations and that didn't seem to work. He wanted to hear from the attorneys and his probation officer before deciding what to do.

Vander Sanden said after talking to his probation officer, he thought a serious sanction was needed, like more jail time but not a revocation.

Ron Erwin, 6th Judicial District probation officer, said he thought increased drug treatment was needed now and followed through after any jail time.

Todd Weimer, Harden's attorney, asked the court if Harden could be placed at the Hinzman Center, instead of jail, so he could receive the drug treatment and it would also provide more restrictions.

Vander Sanden said Thursday that Thornhill told Harden at a second hearing two weeks ago that any future violation would result in a complete revocation and he would go to prison.

"The Hinzman Center is the last stop before prison," Vander Sanden said. "He will be required to get a job and follow the rules."

During the robbery in 2009, Cedar Rapids Police Officer Tim Davis responded and attempted to stop Jose Rockiett, 18, of Cedar Rapids, who was with Harden. Harden ran away before the assault happened. Rockiett struck Davis in the head with a BB-gun and he was knocked unconscious and suffered a fractured skull and severe brain swelling after he fell and hit his head on the street, according to police reports.