FORMER NSU ATHLETE SENTENCED

Judge Gives Man Probation, Jail Time, Treatment

An Aberdeen man and former Northern State University athlete avoided state
prison time Wednesday for a drug-related charge.

Eric L. Dockter, 19, was sentenced on a felony count of conspiracy to
distribute marijuana.

Circuit Court Judge Jack Von Wald sentenced Dockter to 60 days in county
jail and three years probation. Von Wald also ordered him to complete a
chemical dependency evaluation and adhere to its terms. That could involve
in-patient treatment. Dockter must also pay a fine of $1,063 and make
restitution of $1,000.

Dockter had earlier pleaded guilty to the marijuana charge. It's a felony
punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

In exchange for Dockter's guilty plea, other unrelated counts were
dismissed. He had faced burglary and drug charges stemming from the theft
of a safe containing $2,900 from an NSU dorm room nearly a year ago. His
restitution will aid the victim of that crime. If Dockter doesn't adhere to
the terms of probation, Mark McNeary, Brown County state's attorney, said
he could still be charged with felony possession of cocaine from the NSU
incident.

Dockter was given a suspended imposition of sentence. That means if he
doesn't encounter problems during probation, he won't have a criminal record.

Family and community members testified on Dockter's behalf in what was a
very somber and sometimes emotional hearing. They asked that he get a
second chance and said he has admitted to some serious problems.

A pre-sentence investigation revealed Dockter started drinking at age 11
and taking drugs at age 14. Dockter admitted to using marijuana, cocaine,
methamphetamine, speed, mushrooms and more.

"I don't ever want to go back to being the same," Dockter said. "I've just
got to mature."

McNeary challenged Dockter to grow up and realize the impact the events
have had on his family.

Joel Dockter, Eric Dockter's father, and McNeary have known each other
since they attended college together at NSU in the late 1980s. McNeary said
that relationship has been harmed by Eric Dockter's actions.

Eric Dockter played football and baseball at NSU. He said that at the time
he got into trouble he was carried away with being a college athlete and
didn't realize the consequences of his actions.

Aberdeen attorney H.I. King of Aberdeen represented Dockter. He asked Von
Wald to take into consideration, before imposing a sentence, that his
client is young, has never been in trouble with the law before, and at the
time of the crime was an expectant father.

The marijuana charge stemmed from an incident in which two other people
have been charged. One of those men has already been sentenced to 30 days
in jail. Simply put, authorities believe that early this year the three
distributed marijuana from an Aberdeen apartment.

Bob VanWinkle, an Aberdeen counselor who helps people with chemical
dependency, testified that he is willing to help Dockter and that the
recent events could serve as a "wake-up call." The Rev. James Morgan, a
Catholic priest in Aberdeen, said in court that he believes Dockter
sincerely wants to make a new start and has admitted his guilt in the crimes.

As part of his sentence, Dockter must cooperate with authorities as they
further investigate the incidents he was involved in.