Resident Receives Four-Year Sentence for Series of Crimes

Nico Uriel Habecker, 32, was sentenced to four years in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation yesterday, after committing a string of unlawful acts dating back to his arrest on Main and Porter Street in Soquel on Dec 17th.

The sentencing, announced by District Attorney Bob Lee, was for driving under the influence, a hit-and-run and possession of metal knuckles.

Habecker, who had three prior convictions for driving under the influence, also had two grants of felony probation at the time of the offense for assault with a deadly weapon and the for possession of marijuana with the intent to sell.

Nicole Ellen Jones, assistant district attorney, said Habecker's three prior driving under the influence convictions had elevated his last one into a felony, and that he was further convicted of a strike allegation because of his prior conviction of assault with a deadly weapon.

Despite Habecker's four-year-sentence, Jones said she was pushing for the maximum sentence of five years and four months, while the defense urged the court to put Habecker on probation for what would have been the third time. Judge John Gallagher reportedly didn't see probation as a possibility because of the defendant's repeated offenses while under probation.