Today, at trial assignment, local attorney Michael Acosta and Sarah Carroll resolved their cases before next week's jury trial. Sentencing is on September 8. This resolution came after Michael Acosta represented himself. Carroll's attorney is Ms. Andrea Sullivan.
If you are a regular reader of my blog, then this plea should not come as a surprise to you. For those of you who are recent readers, use the search feature so you can understand my comments about the plea or read the links provided. Given the plea deals others got, this is a smart move on the DA's part. The biggest people relieved today are Rex Bohn, Sheriff William Honsal and former HCDTF agent Matt Tomlin because a trial would have meant more information coming out, especially in an election year for Rex. The public deserves to know this and I risked a lot to put information out and cover this case as I have many others but in this one the cost was high. Getting more information out when Acosta tried was fought tooth and nail by the County. My attempts to verify information met with resistance and hiding behing legalese. Michael, I appreciate your comment about my coverage. Wish you, Sarah and your son the best.
Michael Acosta's email:
I am happy to announce that Humboldt County Superior Court case #2001060A, The People of the State of California versus Michael Philip Acosta, Jr., and #2001060B, The People of the State of California versus Sarah Marie Carroll, have been resolved. Each of us pled guilty to two misdemeanors, and all felony counts were dismissed. Sentencing is set for Friday, September 8, 2023 at 8:30am, the Venerable Stuart R. Pollack, presiding.
Judge Pollack is a legal giant among us. His guidance was indispensable, as he chaperoned the parties to a mutually acceptable resolution. Exemplary was the work of Deputy DA Ian Harris, who demonstrated how a prosecutor can take strong positions yet still remain flexible with new information in the course of negotiations. Mr. Harris is a credit to his profession and to the District Attorney's recruitment and retention efforts. The compromise, I'm sure, was disappointing, or maybe just humbling, to the egos of both sides; however, in the end, it was the professional thing to do.
The settlement was a victory for the DA's conviction record, yet allows Sarah, myself, and our 12-year old son Michael to move forward with our plans of selling the house in Cutten and relocating to another area of California equidistant to our families in Humboldt and Orange counties, where I can resume the full-time practice of law with a fresh start.
John Chiv, a special thank you for your outstanding coverage of the case! I am wishing you well! On with life...
Both Acosta and Carroll pleaded guilty to Count 1 HS 11366 operating or maintaining a drug house and Count 4 HS 11377 (a) posession of meth as misdemeanors. The rest of the charges were dismissed. Potential sentence includes up to 1 year in county jail or a $1,000 fine or both. First time offenders can get diversion and get a dismissal after drug treatment or counseling.
Previous posts:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/07/county-opposes-release-of-matt-tomlins.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/07/attorney-general-sides-with-humboldt-da.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/07/judge-files-minute-order-to-correct.html?m=1#more
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/07/acosta-plans-to-subpoena-rex-bohn-as.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/07/bags-and-scales-to-be-tested-acosta-to.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/06/michael-acosta-says-da-scream-team.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/06/da-finally-responds-to-acostas.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/06/michael-acosta-calls-out-rex-bohn-and.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/06/michael-sends-motion-to-ca-doj-to.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/06/i-think-mr-acosta-is-entitled-to-argue.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/05/matt-tomlin-claimed-acostas-partner.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/05/missing-pages-conflicting-claims-tomlin.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/05/acosta-wants-all-charges-dismissed.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/05/michael-acosta-is-back-to-representing.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/04/humboldt-superior-court-rejects-michael.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/03/will-court-grant-michael-acosta.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/02/trial-confirmed-plea-yet-another-change.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/07/deal-or-no-deal.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/06/we-hadnt-received-offer-in-two-years.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/06/trial-dates-confirmed-or-last-minute.html?m=1
(way too many previous posts in this 2020 case to link them all)
More previous posts, these referring to Jane Mackie, same cell phone data and discovery:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2022/06/we-hadnt-received-offer-in-two-years.html?m=1#more
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/10/michael-acostas-letter-will-piss-off-da.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/06/michael-acosta-says-das-office-refused.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/07/discovery-third-party-culpability-and.html?m=1
Related post:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/05/both-victor-campos-and-michael-acosta.html?m=1
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