NORTHAMPTON – A Springfield man was sentenced to 2½ years in jail Tuesday for robbing a Subway shop in Southampton with a hypodermic needle in December 2015.
Judge Mark Mason imposed the sentence on Jason M. Houle, 47, in Hampshire Superior Court, as part of a joint recommendation between the prosecution and defense.
However, Mason noted that Houle would be facing a significant state prison sentence if the commonwealth did not face several challenges in prosecuting the case.
Assistant District Attorney Jayme Parent said in court that Houle robbed the Subway at 161 College Highway, during the course of which he pulled out a hypodermic needle and said that he didn’t want to hurt the teenage female clerk behind the counter, but would if he had to.
Parent went on to say that the clerk told the police that she observed the man going toward the former Opa Opa Steakhouse and Brewery, and a man matching his description was found on surveillance video there, and that it was observed that an object was tossed by the man.
Parent said that a DNA match for Houle was found on a hypodermic needle located in the area of the restaurant the next day and Houle’s aunt later identified him on the surveillance footage used in the case.
Parent said that a DNA match on a movable object made proceeding with the case difficult. She said the victim in the case now lives in Georgia and was not willing to voluntarily return to Massachusetts to testify. Houle also was willing to take responsibility for his actions, she said, in the laying out the reason why a plea agreement was reached.
Parent also said that given the circumstances of the crime and Houle’s extensive record, which includes a conviction for armed robbery, she would not normally be willing to offer such a deal.
As part of the plea agreement, Houle was sentenced to 2½ years on an assault with a hypodermic needle charge, and 2 years probation on an armed robbery charge.
The probation includes the condition that Houle remains drug- and alcohol-free, and avails himself of substance abuse treatment. Houle’s attorney, Jon Heyman, said his client is looking to get into a residential treatment center after he completes his sentence.
“He really wants to accept responsibility,” Heyman said. “He wants to move on.”
Heyman also noted that Houle has a possible life sentence hanging over his head if he violates his probation. Houle was given credit for 683 days of time served, and Mason noted that his jail sentence will be ending soon, and that addiction is a lifelong struggle.
“I hope we won’t see you again,” Mason told Houle.
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com.