Renovo Woman Sentenced to State Prison for Multiple DUIs with Child Occupant
LOCK HAVEN— Karen Mace, 43, of 4th Street in Renovo, was in Court Tuesday, August 20, 2024, facing sentencing in four criminal cases, including a pair of DUI’s while under the influence of crack cocaine. Judge Michael F. Salisbury imposed sentences that totaled a maximum of 96 months in State Prison, with parole eligibility after the first 18 months are served.
Mace was arrested for her first DUI in October of 2023 after she drove to the Clinton County Courthouse for a pending probation violation for a pair of prior Bad Check convictions. Mace appeared for Court that morning visibly under the influence of controlled substances, and police discovered she had driven to the Courthouse with a minor child passenger. Lock Haven City Police responded to the Courthouse that morning and took Mace into Custody.
Mace would be released on bail in November of 2023 and would later be arrested for another DUI in January of 2024 when she was observed operating a motor vehicle in the vicinity of Renovo Elementary School with a minor child occupant, and again visibly under the influence of controlled substances. Renovo Police responded after teachers and staff members followed Mace due to safety concerns. Mace would be denied bail following her 2nd DUI arrest. At sentencing, Mace told Judge Salisbury that she was committed to her sobriety and asked the Court to sentence her to a county sentence, actually asking for a time-served sentence. The Commonwealth, represented by DA Dave Strouse, argued for a State Prison Sentence in light of the repeated danger that Mace posed to the community, especially children. Ultimately, Judge Salisbury found that county jail was insufficient in Mace’s situation. Salisbury stated that Mace was clearly a substantial risk of re-offending and told Mace that he believed her only chance of success was likely the State Drug Treatment Program offered through the Department of Corrections.
Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://clinton.crimewatchpa.com/da/133000/post/renovo-woman-sentenced-state-prison-multiple-duis-child-occupant
