Ex-700WLW host sentenced to ‘no-breaks’ probation for violating court-ordered program

Attorney and onetime 700WLW host Lisa Wells admitted that she violated terms of a court-supervised drug treatment program and was sentenced Thursday to three years of probation that includes numerous conditions.

A Miami County judge called it "a no-breaks" probation term, and Wells faces prison if she commits violations.

Wells, 41, spoke through tears during a hearing in a Miami County courtroom, where her drug possession case has been pending since she was arrested in 2016 for driving while under the influence. Police found several prescription pills, including oxycodone, inside Wells' car and in her purse.

In court Thursday, Wells apologized to Miami County Common Pleas Judge Jeannine Pratt and said she was “very envious of someone like you who has remained together.”

“I just wish I had it together, more,” Wells said.

Wells, who has two young children, pleaded guilty in April 2017 to felony drug possession charges and was placed in a court-supervised program for two years. As part of the intervention in lieu of conviction program, which operates like probation, the drug charges would have been dismissed if she completed it successfully.

But in April 2019, Pratt wanted proof that Wells had completed a required program specifically for attorneys and also ordered drug testing. Wells hadn’t completed the program and then didn’t show up for a scheduled hearing in July, leading to a warrant being issued for her arrest.

Pratt ultimately recalled the warrant. Pratt said she did that so Wells could appear on her own and avoid arrest. But at a late-August hearing – which took place after Pratt said Wells requested several delays – the judge ordered Wells to submit to a drug test.

Wells tested positive for cocaine, marijuana and oxycodone, and Pratt ordered her to jail. On Aug. 29, Pratt released Wells on a personal recognizance bond and set a new hearing for Sept. 5. Wells didn’t show up for that hearing. The previous day, she had been admitted into a substance abuse rehabilitation facility.

Wells' attorneys argued that a doctor had directed her to be hospitalized immediately – a claim Pratt was skeptical about at a previous hearing.

Wells was released from the facility on Oct. 2, but Pratt noted that she didn’t surrender to authorities and didn’t notify the court of her release. A warrant had to be issued, and she was arrested Oct. 18.

Wells has been jailed since then. Pratt set her bond at $750,000.

At Thursday’s hearing, Pratt went through the timeline of the case, saying she had been “more than fair and more than understanding.”

“This court has bent over backward to get (Wells) over the finish line,” Pratt said.

She added Wells failed to take advantage of the multiple chances she had been given.

“Ms. Wells has no one to blame but herself,” Pratt said.

As part of her probation, Wells must complete outpatient treatment, submit to random drug tests, attend alcoholics anonymous meetings twice a week, undergo a mental health assessment and undergo individual therapy for at least a year. She also must abide by a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and be monitored by GPS.

If Wells doesn’t comply, she faces a year in prison.