The former coordinator of the Floyd County Drug Court program, Erin Ranee Young, was sentenced to two years in prison Thursday afternoon by Floyd County Superior Court Judge Bryan Johnson, following her guilty plea to felony sexual contact with a program participant.

Young, 39, admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship with an individual enrolled in the Drug Court program, over whom she held direct supervision. Assistant District Attorney Emily Harsen stated that Young granted this participant favors and other considerations not extended to other individuals in the program.

“Her behavior as the coordinator, which is a position of trust, affected the entire program,” Harsen stated during the sentencing. “This program is essential to the court system and the people who depend on it.”

Young had previously pled guilty to felony sexual contact by an employee or agent, a charge that carried a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Georgia criminal code specifically outlaws improper sexual contact when an employee or agent has sexual contact with a person under their supervision or care, listing individuals under probation, parole, or court supervision.

Defense attorney Wade Hoyt argued for leniency, emphasizing that Young had taken complete responsibility for her actions. He explained that Young was enduring a difficult period in her life, navigating a divorce and caring for her aging father, who eventually passed away.

“She has never been in trouble before, and she was caring for both her sick parents and getting a divorce when she fell in with this man,” Hoyt told Judge Johnson. He further alleged that the participant in question stole money from Young and her mother, leading to her losing her home.

Hoyt underscored the significant penalties Young had already faced, including the loss of her career and financial security due to her transgression. “She has already faced enormous consequences,” Hoyt stated. “She’s lost everything but the ability to be a mom, which is the one thing she has left.” Young has two young children, and her defense requested that she be spared prison time.

Judge Johnson appeared thoughtful and was reportedly moved by Young’s testimony, in which she accepted full responsibility for her actions. He called for a short break before announcing his decision.

Upon returning to the bench, Judge Johnson explained that this was one of the toughest decisions he could recall, noting that the purpose of the statute was to prevent a person in a position of authority from coercing someone into a relationship.

Ultimately, Judge Johnson sentenced Young to two years in prison. He did, however, grant her several days to get her affairs in order before she must turn herself in to begin her sentence.

“This was a tragedy all the way around,” Hoyt remarked after the sentencing. “Everyone lost, nobody won.”