Uniontown man sentenced for robbery
Despite a request to serve his sentence in the Fayette County Prison, a Uniontown man was ordered to spend one to two years in a state facility for his role as the getaway driver in a robbery. Derek Hudock, 28, offered an apology to the victim, George Rostich, his family and the court before he was sentenced in Fayette County Court Wednesday.
Hudock’s attorney said he was a reluctant getaway driver in a drug-fueled robbery undertaken by Hudock’s two companions on Oct. 26, 2005. Rostich, then 81, was getting gas at a South Union Township station when Clark King IV and Allison Lynn Hilling approached him and one of them stole his wallet, according to court records.
When Rostich tried to retrieve his wallet, the two ran to Hudock’s truck and someone hit Rostich. He fell to the pavement and hit his head.
Hudock said he has “the deepest regret” that Rostich was injured and acknowledged that he was addicted to crack cocaine at the time. Although he came from a good upbringing, Hudock, who has no prior record, said he tried crack and quickly became addicted.
“The need for more is overwhelming,” he said.
Hudock said he has been clean since March 2006, and said he now lives his life differently.
Leskinen also heard testimony from a man who identified himself as Hudock’s sponsor in a drug addiction recovery program.
The man said that he has seen others falter in attempts to get clean, but during the time he has spent with Hudock, he said he has seen an “unbelievable” change. The man said he does not doubt Hudock’s commitment to remain drug-free.
Several others from the program, as well as Hudock’s family, were in court to support him.
The sponsor said he would remain in contact with Hudock and support him no matter where he was sent to prison.
Attorney Lee Rothman, who represents Hudock, asked Judge Steve P. Leskinen to consider a county sentence so that Hudock could remain close to home so that he could easily continue his recovery work.
While Leskinen acknowledged that he did have it within his authority to have Hudock serve the sentence in the county, he said that any sentence two years and more means state time.
He also noted that the county prison has struggled with population issues for years and noted that state prisons have better programs than Fayette’s to deal with addiction.
Although Leskinen offered to allow Hudock to withdraw his plea, he opted to take the sentence of state imprisonment.
Both Hilling and King pleaded guilty to charges associated with the matter earlier this year, and both were sentenced to one to two years in prison.