Fifteen days of public work service with credit for 33 days in jail was the sentence Sept. 20 to one of seven people who were charged with distributing methamphetamine for sale with the owner of the Mission Bay Sportcenter.
Joe Livingston Bean, 52, is not an employee of the Sportcenter, whose owner Jason Morgan Boone, 40, is the alleged ringleader. Boone allegedly stored methamphetamine in the lockers of the business, but is the only employee charged.
Bean is now living in a residential drug-treatment center and was placed on three years probation by San Diego Superior Court Judge Jeff Fraser, who suspended a 147-day jail sentence. He was fined more than $2,100.
“He’s not a dealer. He sells (drugs) to support his habit,” said Bean’s attorney, Nicholas De Pento.
Deputy District Attorney Jorge Del Portillo said he believed Bean had a bigger role in the scheme than just selling meth to support his own habit.
Bean told the judge he was addicted to methamphetamine and alcohol, but not at the same time. He told Fraser, “I could kill someone with alcohol” if he used a vehicle, but “I wouldn’t kill anyone with meth.”
Fraser said he presided over a drug court session once in which he asked if there was anyone in the 100 seat-courtroom who had not sold drugs to support their habit, and not a single person raised their hand. He said it was a very common crime.
Bean said he was once clean for seven years, and he believes he can do it again. He has been convicted of DUI with injury.
Boone and five others have their preliminary hearing set for Oct. 23. They have all pleaded not guilty to charges of possession, transportation, and sales of methamphetamine following their June 5 arrests. All remain free on bond.