A man who repeatedly violated no-contact orders concerning his ex-wife and child was sentenced to prison Tuesday, June 21.
Richard Heslen, 56, pleaded guilty in Columbia County Superior Court to the latest charges filed against him. Judge J. Wade Padgett sentenced Heslen to two years in prison followed by eight years on probation. Contacting his ex-wife or child again will be grounds for the revocation of the probation portion of his sentence.
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Heslen’s final court order in his divorce prohibited any contact with either his ex-wife or child, and he was ordered to stay 1,000 yards away from their home, school and job sites, The Augusta Press has previously reported. On Sept. 30, 2020, the principal at the child’s school called the sheriff’s office after Heslen showed up insisting on speaking with the child.
Heslen has been arrested 24 times since 1984, including for theft of nearly $70,000 in 2007. He also owes tens of thousands of dollars in child support, Assistant District Attorney Andy Pascual said at a prior court hearing.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
