On February 20, 2008, a drug user stood before Judge Frank LaBuda in the Monticello courthouse awaiting his sentencing on drug charges. Daniel Itzhaky was the fourth person to be sentenced. The first three were sentenced to three to five years in prison and Daniel was sentenced to five years probation. Since then, Daniel has graduated from New York State University in Farmingdale, NY with summa cum laude honors, has sponsored several drug users in rehab centers on Long Island and has never touched any drugs or alcohol again.
It is well known that a high percentage of drug and alcohol abusers are repeat offenders, but Judge LaBuda used his wisdom to identify Daniel as a savable, stray person and used the justice system in Sullivan County to bring him back as a productive law-abiding citizen.
Today Daniel holds a respected job in the computer graphics field and he is engaged to be married.
Judge LaBuda, I give you full credit for saving my son’s life.
Ike Itzhaky (Daniel’s father)
Columbus, OH