A Youngsville man walked into sentencing facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 days incarceration on a DUI charge.

He left with a ticket to state prison.

Participating via video from the jail, Kellen P. Taydus, 38, was sentenced by Judge Gregory Hammond on Tuesday morning.

Tyler Lindquist, representing Taydus, told the court Tuesday that his client has pending charges and has been incarcerated for quite some time.

Online court records indicate Taydus also faces charges of possession with intent to deliver and criminal use of a communications facility and has been incarcerated since Jan. 4 on $100,000 bond.

“I still proclaim my innocence,” Taydus told the court. “I was not guilty of this crime.”

He made a comment about the low burden of proof needed.

Hammond said testimony at trial made it clear that Taydus drove while “grossly impaired,” leaving the vehicle in a ditch and spitting repeatedly inside the police car once taken into custody.

But it wasn’t his conduct on the night of the incident that seemed elicit a strong response from the judge.

Hammond said that Taydus has picked up three misconducts with the jail — which included lock up time.

He also reviewed Taydus’ answers on the tablet education system in the jail, specifically reading several of the answers in court.

His pitch to a potential employer? A rambling explanation about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in one instance.

An answer to a question on three things that would make him happy? Beer, a joint and female companionship.

Assistant District Attorney Tatiana Malys cited records that show Taydus to be a problem drinker and suggested mental health help as well.

There was some question about whether this was a third or fourth DUI offense overall.

Two weren’t disputed — 2008 and 2009 in Dunkirk, N.Y.

A third in Jamestown in 2018 — listed as a civil, not a criminal, offense — was in question but Chief Probation Officer Carl McKee said the offense still counts for sentencing purposes in Pennsylvania.

Malys noted that the standard range and maximum penalty wouldn’t change either way.

Hammond then sentenced Taydus to nine months to two years incarceration in state prison, $180 in restitution to Youngsville Borough, $1,300 in fines and fees, participation in the alcohol highway safety school and victim impact panel programs, to undergo drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and comply with recommendations, a 12 month license suspension and priority for state drug treatment programs on a cont of DUI: General impairment — incapable of safe driving — third offense. He is boot camp eligible.

He was fined a total of $70 each on charges of driving an unregistered vehicle, operating a vehicle without required financial responsibility and operating a vehicle without a valid inspection.

He took the case to trial back in October and was convicted on those offenses while found not guilty on charges of DUI: Highest rate of alcohol — third offense, reckless driving and disorderly conduct.