This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
After disappearing for more than a decade, a Logan man has finally been sentenced for a drunk-driving incident.
John R. Ratliff, 40, had pleaded guilty in January 2003 to driving under the influence, a class B misdemeanor, and no contest to attempted aggravated assault, a third-degree felony. Three other traffic-related misdemeanor charges were dismissed.
But before Ratliff could be sentenced, he failed to show up for a mandatory hearing on April 15, 2003 in 1st District Court. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
"Ratliff remained on the run, reportedly living in Salt Lake," according to the Cache Valley Daily newspaper.
Police finally found Ratliff in late January. He was arrested and booked into the Cache County jail.
"Ratliff appeared in court Monday with his attorney, Lauren Forsyth," Cache Valley Daily reported. "She told the court that her client was addicted to alcohol, which had been the source of his problems."
During the sentencing, "Ratliff told the court he originally fled the area after losing faith in the justice system," Cache Valley Daily reported
Judge Thomas Willmore ordered Ratliff to serve up to a year in jail, "and said he would allow him to be released once he completes a court ordered treatment program," according to the Logan-area newspaper.
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