NASHUA – A prosecutor told a Superior Court judge Thursday that $10,000 cash or surety bail “is warranted,” given Justin Sorrenty’s alleged lengthy history of failing to appear in court when ordered.

Assistant County Attorney Brett Harpster supported his recommendation by pointing to Sorrenty’s alleged habit of not being where he should be so often that he has 21 prior convictions on his record, including failures to appear in court in May, June and July – and most recently on Tuesday.

Sorrenty, 36, whose current address is unknown, was picked up by police Wednesday, when they were called to a report of a disturbance at an east-side Nashua apartment building.

According to Harpster, Sorrenty initially gave police a false name, but did eventually give his correct information. Upon searching him, police found he was in possession of methamphetamine, Harpster said.

To Sorrenty’s credit, Harpster said, he did successfully complete the Substance Abuse Treatment Community for Offenders Program (SATCO), a significant component of the Adult Drug Court program.

Attorney Pamela Jones, who represented Sorrenty at Thursday’s hearing, cited that accomplishment in asking Judge Jacalyn Colburn that Sorrenty be released on personal recognizance bail.

Jones said Sorrenty, who Harpster said earlier typically heads for the Concord area when he leaves the jurisdiction, went to Franklin to spend Thanksgiving with his family. He planned on returning promptly, she said, but ran into transportation problems.

Sorrenty, she added, “absolutely wants to get back into Drug Court,” and is eager to take steps to get back on track with treatment.

A very similar scenario took place in September, when Sorrenty appeared in court on allegations he violated two rules of his probation.

At the time, Harpster asked Colburn to hold Sorrenty without bail, citing his alleged history of absconding.

Sorrenty’s regular attorney, Sarah Amorin, during the September hearing said Sorrenty “knows he needs to comply” with Drug Court rules, but when he allegedly absconds he heads to Concord “because it feels like home to him.”

Sorrenty “has a long history” of illegal drug use, Amorin added, and has struggled in Drug Court.

On Thursday, Colburn told Sorrenty she would give him personal recognizance bail on the charges from Wednesday, but ordered him housed in jail on the probation violation – failure to appear in Drug Court – charge.

Colburn said she will have Sorrenty transported to court for the next Drug Court session, which will be Tuesday afternoon.

“We’re trying to work with you, but you aren’t meeting us halfway,” Colburn told Sorrenty, referring to the Drug Court team. “This team is bending over backward for you.”

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, or at dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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