Sentence in Felony Drugged Driving Case

DELHI – District Attorney Shawn Smith announced that Keith Audette, 49, of Hamden, appeared in Delaware County Court on January 14, 2025, and was sentenced to a five-year term of probation supervision for the crime of Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs, a Class E Felony.  

The defendant had previously appeared in Delaware County Court on November 19, 2024, and entered a plea of guilty to Driving While Ability Impaired by Drugs. Prior to pleading guilty, the defendant admitted that he had been previously convicted of the misdemeanor of Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated in Chenango County Court on October 19, 2015.  The defendant also admitted that he drove a motor vehicle in the Village of Walton on April 9, 2024, while under the influence of methamphetamine.   

On January 14, 2025, Audette appeared before Judge John L. Hubbard for sentencing. After confirming the accuracy of the pre-sentencing report, the parties requested the Court impose the agreed-upon sentence. Before doing so, Judge Hubbard asked the defendant if he wanted to make a statement. Mr. Audette thanked the Court for the opportunity to be supervised and stated he believed the plea was going to change his life. 

Judge Hubbard sentenced Audette to five years of felony probation supervision. He also set fines, fees, and a surcharge at a total amount of $1,570.  The defendant’s license was revoked, and he was ordered to provide a sample of his DNA for inclusion in the state DNA data base.  If the defendant violates any of the terms of probation, he may be re-sentenced to one and one third to four years in state prison.

District Attorney Smith commended Investigator Kathryn Mitchell of the Village of Walton Police Department along with Delaware County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Justin Mohr, a certified Drug Recognition Expert, for their thorough investigation into this case.  “Thanks to the diligent work of Investigator Mitchell and Deputy Mohr, a dangerous driver was removed from our roadways.”

Shawn J. Smith 

District Attorney 

Delaware County