By Larry Vincent
On March 3, in 11th Circuit Court, with Judge William Carmody presiding, Dyanna Maddox was sentenced. This sentencing ended an almost 2.5-year long case that entered circuit court in November 2017.
Maddox was originally charged with 22 felonies. Four charges were criminal sexual contact with a 13-15 year-old, two were for delivery of narcotics, 15 counts accused her of distributing child sexually abusive material, and there was one count of accosting a child for immoral purposes.
Between the time of Maddox’s first arraignment in November 2017, and her trial date in October 2019, there were many hearings held in 11th Circuit Court. Some of the hearings were in regards to discovery. Discovery is when the prosecution and defense obtain the evidence each side would have. Maddox had digital devices that needed to be forensically investigated by police.
At one point, in November 2018, the case against Maddox was remanded to 92nd District Court after new evidence required additional charges against her. The case was again brought to 11th Circuit Court in May 2019, with the updated charges. A trial date was set for October 15, 2019.
Maddox was released from jail in April 2018 on a personal recognizance bond with a tether. The tether was taken off of Maddox in May 2019. During this time, Maddox had not missed a court hearing.
On the trial date of October 15, prospective jurors were told that Maddox had not shown up, and a bench warrant was issued. She was picked up on October 28, and at her hearing on November 5, bond was denied. A new trial date was set for February 25, 2020.
At a February 4, 2020 hearing, Maddox pleaded no contest to Assault with Intent to Commit Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) with Penetration against a 13-15-year-old. A no contest plea in Michigan means that the defendant does not admit guilt or contest the charges, but accepts the punishment the court imposes. It has the same effect as a guilty plea.
At the March 3rd sentencing hearing, the defense attorney Brian Rahilly asked the judge to abide by the sentencing agreement of 55 months of prison. Rahilly argued that Maddox should get credit for time served for the days she spent on tether, over 200 days. Prosecutor Josh Freed was adamant that there should be no credit for time served because it was not time while Maddox was in jail.
The mother of the victim, who was 13 at the time of the crimes, gave a victim impact statement. The name of the mother or victim was not identified. During her statement, she said that Maddox had taken advantage of her son. She said that in a small community, it isn’t fair to her son because of the way people in the community look at him.
Rahilly said that Maddox had earned her way to prison, not only through her acts, but her lifestyle and that she needed to get her act together. He said that Maddox should take advantage of the programs available at the prison.
Maddox read a prepared statement, which said that she accepts full responsibility and is full of sadness and regret. She then talked about how she had never failed a drug test, and was the sole support of her adult child.
Judge Carmody, before handing down the sentence, told Maddox that many defendants have a “coming to Jesus,” moment, but that her words rang hollow. He said that Maddox had done nothing but flaunt the system, playing games with the court and the people. Carmody also stated that he doesn’t see prison helping Maddox.
Maddox was sentenced to 55 months of prison with credit for 362 days served in jail. Carmody rejected the idea that she should receive any credit for time served while on tether.
