Man sentenced for 'knuckleheaded' decisions

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By Nancy Bowman, Staff Writer 5:31 PM Monday, June 15, 2009

TROY — A Clayton man scolded by a Miami County judge in late May for “knucklehead” decisions after violating terms of probation granted following a high-speed chase was sentenced to additional probation and participation in the MonDay rehabilitation program.

“Your life is going to change beginning today. Either you will rehabilitate yourself, or you will go to prison,” Judge Jeffrey Welbaum told Taylor Roustio, 20, on Monday, June 15, in Miami County Common Pleas Court.

Roustio earlier was sentenced to probation and 45 days in the county jail for fleeing from West Milton police May 31, 2008. Police from Tipp City and Troy eventually joined in the pursuit, with speeds up to 98 mph, before Roustio was stopped on Interstate 75 in Troy.

When Roustio returned to court May 26, accused of violating terms of probation, Welbaum lectured him for poor decisions. Those decisions included going out with old friends and drinking, which ended in Roustio’s assault of a woman in April.

Welbaum agreed in May to consider the MonDay program, if the program officials were interested in working with Roustio.

Program officials contacted after the May hearing agreed to try working with him in the program that provides a secure treatment environment for felony offenders.

Welbaum ordered Roustio’s participation and extended his probation from the original three years to five years.

Roustio also was ordered to obtain his GED and to serve a three-year driver’s license suspension. He will be held in the county jail until MonDay has a bed available for him.

“This is your last chance. Don’t blow it,” Welbaum said.

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