Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this evening. Then partly cloudy. Low 73F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..
Widely scattered showers or a thunderstorm this evening. Then partly cloudy. Low 73F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Updated: July 13, 2025 @ 3:59 pm
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CHARLESTON Ƶ A Putnam County man is among three completers of the Alternative Treatment Court who were recently honored in a graduation ceremony.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn, who oversees the ATC program for the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, presided over the graduation ceremony. The graduates are Bradley Flowers, 29, of Hurricane; Richard Allen Bowen, 63, of Charleston; and Joseph Harper, 39, of Beckley.
The ATC program is a collaborative partnership between the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Probation Office, the U.S. AttorneyƵs Office, the Federal Public DefenderƵs Office, and various community-based treatment providers and organizations. The ATC program is a pre-plea, pre-sentence alternative to conviction or imprisonment for certain individuals charged with federal crimes. The ATC program provides a blend of treatment that focuses on drug and mental health treatment, and alternative sanctions to effectively address offender behavior, rehabilitation, and education and job-skills training. The U.S. Probation Office provides oversight and monitoring.
In a video statement, U.S. Attorney Thompson commended Judge Aboulhosn, the judges of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and the ATC programƵs partners.
ƵWe appreciate the fact that they allow the program not only to exist but to thrive,Ƶ Thompson said in the video statement, according to a news release. ƵThis is something that is done on a volunteer basis. The work and effort they put in makes this program successful and they all deserve recognition today.Ƶ
Participants must be individuals whose criminal conduct is believed to be motivated by substance abuse issues, mental health, or other underlying causes that appear to be amenable to treatment through programs available as part of the ATC. Defendants with a history of violent offenses, involved in child exploitation offenses or subject to removal by immigration authorities are among those excluded from participating.
Eligible defendants must participate for at least 12 months, but may be required to participate for up to 24 months.
The three graduates each successfully completed Track Two of the program, which allows them to receive terms of probation. Track One of the program allows for the dismissal of charges against those participants upon their successful completion of the ATC program.
Information about the Alternative Treatment Court program, including the program’s Memorandum of Understanding, is available on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia: .
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