T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM Amador Guevera reads a letter he wrote to Judge John Haney during the drug court graduation on Friday at the Marshall County Courthouse. Guevera overcame his addiction, began volunteering at Iowa Veterans Homes and is now employed there.

A long journey led to Amador Guevera’s graduation from Judge John Haney’s enhanced supervision court on Friday.

He was arrested for methamphetamine possession in May 2023, which he pleaded guilty to in June. In the Marshall County Courthouse on Friday, Guevera read a letter he had written to Haney, requesting to graduate from the drug program, which he had been participating in for almost 600 days. When he first entered the program, Guevera said he did not have a clear life goal, but that changed as he progressed.

“This program has not been easy,” he said, as he learned how to be accountable and had to participate in regular drug tests.

As a result of the program, Guevera learned how to be honest. He also learned how to repair relationships with people who were impacted by his addiction and truly achieve sobriety – things he believed were out of his reach.

“The drug court gave me the tools, direction and support and, most of all, patience,” Guevera said.

Haney told Guevera he thought the letter was insightful and was proud of Guevera’s incredible progress, which was proven by consistent UAs (urine analyses). He asked Guevera about the community project he worked on. Guevera told Haney he volunteered to do some landscaping and cleanup at the Iowa Veterans Home, where he is now employed.

Marshalltown Police Department Chief Chris Jones was also present at Guevera’s graduation and said one of the most impressive things he witnessed was Guevera did not get discouraged when bad weather came through. In fact, he communicated with others and rescheduled the project sessions.

“You showed a lot of leadership,” Jones said. “The interaction you were having with residents, the interaction you were having with your other coworkers – it was such a positive experience to see you in that environment. You are just exceptionally comfortable with where you are and where you’re going to go.”

People who attended the graduation compared Guevera to when he first started the program. They said in the beginning, it was difficult to get Guevera to talk or smile. He had built so many walls around himself. However, as he progressed, Guevera began to drop his guard and let people in. Looking at him during graduation, they said it was obvious his demeanor had changed and he now had confidence in himself.

Haney said he received an email from Jones about Guevera and the community project.

“Not only did he enjoy helping with your project, but he is so impressed with your relationships with coworkers and residents of the veterans home,” he said. “It’s very obvious, and I don’t want to put words in [his] mouth, but they helped you out with great respect and pride. . . . I’m very proud of you.”

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.