Gallitzin man to serve up to 6.5 years on drug counts

Hollen overdosed while caring for two nonverbal autistic patients

HOLLIDAYSBURG -- A Gallitzin man found unresponsive after overdosing while he was supposed to be caring for two nonverbal, autistic patients in April 2024 was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to about two to 6.5 years in a state correctional facility.

Scott Joseph Hollen II, 38, entered an open guilty plea to a single felony count of possession with intent to deliver, two misdemeanor counts each of recklessly endangering another person and neglect of a care dependent person and single misdemeanor counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance on his jury selection day June 22. Two misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of care-dependent persons were dismissed.

Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks recommended a minimum sentence of two years, to be served at a state correctional institution, and told Judge Jackie Atherton Bernard that he would be willing to make Hollen eligible for the state drug treatment program.

Weeks said Hollen had "significant criminal history" beginning as a juvenile in 2005 and detailed a similar care-dependent case that occurred in 2021 when he was found using drugs in a vehicle with three children inside. He told Bernard that Hollen has been arrested about 20 times since his juvenile case and has received "significant interventions" for drug and alcohol abuse.

"This is the second time this defendant has come before the court because he has put others who are care dependent on him in harm's way," Weeks said. "(Hollen) made a conscious choice to not only have extremely dangerous drugs on his person but decided to use those drugs during the course of caring for those individuals."

Weeks told Bernard that the victim's families were "adamantly opposed" to Hollen's recommendation to the state drug treatment program "for a long time, but are now in agreement," while also believing incarceration to be necessary.

Weeks also asked Bernard to impose a restitution fee of $176 to the state crime lab and "as much time as possible on probation."

Defense attorney Bryce Dunio pointed out that while Hollen's criminal record reflected several arrests, "what was charged was not pled to" and was therefore "not proven." He asked Bernard not to hold those things against Hollen.

"(Hollen) has been changing himself, trying to be better and has taken full accountability," Dunio said. "He doesn't want to repeat this."

A number of people spoke on Hollen's character, including his parents, friends and employer.

Phillip Mazzarese told Bernard that Hollen "has been working for me for many years" and "has been a big help."

"Yes, he has some problems," Mazzarese said. "He made it this far and it's pretty lucky he survived what he's been through."

He said he'd be willing to help Hollen with work release if that were an option.

Tracy Deremer, a certified recovery specialist with Pyramid Healthcare who works with Hollen, told Bernard she has seen growth between their first meeting and today.

"Since day one he has shown remorse to me," Deremer said.

When given the opportunity to address the court, Hollen spoke through tears.

"I know I made bad choices and I take full responsibility for my actions," Hollen said. "If I could go back and change my actions, I would."

Hollen told Bernard he survived the overdose that resulted in his arrest and spent 17 days in the hospital, which left him "incredibly grateful to be alive." He said it forced him to examine his choices "and the impact its made on others."

"It put into perspective what all I stood to lose," Hollen said.

Hollen told Bernard he was the primary caregiver for his mother, who suffered multiple health issues, as his father works full time. He said he also worked every day at multiple places and "did everything he could for the people who rely on me."

Before handing down Hollen's sentence, Bernard told Hollen that his second chance would be participating in the state drug treatment program if he were accepted. She noted that Hollen spoke only of taking care of everyone else while the letters she received from his loved ones stated they wanted him to get better.

"What I would like to suggest to you is to take care of yourself first," Bernard said. "Everything that has been tried to this point has not worked for you."

In addition to the state prison sentence, Bernard ordered Hollen to serve about seven years' probation following his incarceration, pay restitution to the state crime lab, $350 in fines, complete his GED, complete a cognitive behavioral therapy course, attend trauma informed therapy and undergo mental health and drug and alcohol evaluations.

Hollen was taken into custody immediately following the sentencing hearing. He had remained free since posting $30,000 bail on June 27, 2024.

Hollen's case stems from a report of an overdose the morning of April 5 at a residence along the 5800 block of California Avenue in Altoona. Altoona police found AMED already treating the person, later identified as Hollen, suffering from an overdose. While he was being treated, officers located drug paraphernalia on Hollen, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

When officers spoke with the caller, she said that she was a manager for Skills and was in charge of Hollen, who was also a Skills employee. She told police Hollen was at the residence to care for two patients and that he was supposed to take them to an adult day program that morning, the police report states.

When the adult day program called to tell her that the two patients had not arrived at their scheduled time, she tried to call Hollen, but he didn't answer. She then went to the residence, found Hollen unresponsive and called 911, the report states.

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor-Musselman is at 814-946-7458.